Fire Safety Tips That Will Help Protect You and Your Dog

Thank you First Alert for sponsoring this post. October is Fire Prevention Month!
Help ensure your home and family are protected by installing smoke & carbon monoxide alarms!

October is Fire Prevention Month. And since we’re spending more time at home than ever these days, having a fire safety plan is key for every household, especially for one with dogs.

We all love our dogs, and the last thing we’d want to think about is one of them getting hurt in a fire. So for this post, I’ve teamed up with First Alert to share fire prevention tips, as well as planning for emergency situations for your family and your pet.

Whether you are a new dog owner or have had your dog for a while, there are things you can put in place to keep your dog safe whether home or away for the day.

Fire safety starts with taking preventative measures along with being ready for the unexpected by planning. Follow these 5 tips for creating a safe environment for your dog and your whole family!

Fire Safety for Pets and the Whole Family

1. Pet fire safety planning starts with prevention

When it comes to fire safety for pets, prevention is the most important part of fire safety with our four-legged friends.

Make sure to pet-proof your home and frequently check the home for potential fire hazards. Some of the common areas you should look out for are wires, candles, fireplace, space heaters, hair dryers, irons and stove knobs.

Also make sure to never leave pets unattended around an open flame, such as a candle or fireplace.

2. Install Smoke detectors

Having smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in your home are vital to both your family’s safety and your pets. They should be installed on every level and every bedroom of your home and tested regularly.

First Alert’s 10-Year Sealed Battery Combination Alarm with Voice and Location provides 2-in-1 protection from both smoke and carbon monoxide detection in a single unit.

It’s equipped with a photoelectric smoke sensor and an electrochemical CO sensor to accurately detect smoke produced by smoldering fires and carbon monoxide leaks from multiple sources. And with voice and location technology, it can tell you the type and location of danger detected in your home.

3. Have preparations in place for emergency situations 

A fire is a scary situation and pets may runoff. Make sure your pets wear collars and tags with up-to-date identification information, or are microchipped before an emergency happens,

Prepare an emergency kit with leashes as close to an exit as possible. You should also make sure that everyone in the family knows where the kit is, and that it is clearly labeled and easy to carry. Items to include in your dog evacuation pack are food, water, medication, a blanket, and a photo of your pet in case you get separated.

When leaving pets home alone, try to keep them in areas or rooms near entrances where firefighters can easily find them when entering your home. Also, make sure to keep collars on pets and leashes close by as well.

A pet alert window sign near each entrance to your home is another important pet fire safety step. This critical information tells emergency responders that one or more pets are in your home and may need help.

4. Know where your pet is likely to hide

In case of a fire, your dog is probably going to be scared. Remember that pets can be exponentially more difficult to round up if they sense stress. So be sure you know where your pup is likely to hide inside the house – for example under a couch or inside a particular closet.

Unfortunately, if you can’t find them quickly, you will still need to escape – and fast. Get outside and leave the door open for your pets to follow. Call for them to help them find their way, and let firefighters know that pets are still inside.

5. Make a safety evacuation plan and include your pets

If a fire starts in your home, you may have as little as two minutes to escape. Every family should have a fire evacuation plan and do a practice fire drill at least twice a year, and these should include your pets too.

Know two ways to get out of every room in your home and decide where to meet once you get outside. Be sure to include your pets in your plan and have leashes or carriers available near the exit.

When it comes to fire safety for pets, the best way to protect your pets is to include them in your family evacuation plan. This includes having their own disaster supplies kit, as well as arranging in advance for a safe place for them to stay if you need to leave your home.

When you practice your escape plan, practice taking your pets with you. Train them to come to you when you call. Make sure you practice your escape plan at least twice a year with your family and pets.

Here’s an example of our escape plan map, which includes where our dog is likely to hide, and where we keep our leashes and pet emergency kit. We have both primary and secondary exits mapped out, along with our meeting spot which is the tree at the front of our yard.

About First Alert

First Alert has been protecting homes and families since 1958. And have been creating innovative products for fire safety since, from the first residential smoke alarm to the first battery-operated carbon monoxide alarm.

Their products are reliable, quality and trustworthy, and they’re dedicated to helping save lives. In addition to creating products to keep your family safe, they work with retailers, schools, firefighters, and communities, to raise awareness and educate the community about fire safety and the best ways to be optimally protected.

Hope you found these tips helpful and reminded you to brush up on your own fire safety plan for your home!

Check out more home & lifestyle posts:

• How to Make A Gallery Wall
• DIY Macramé Plant Hanger
• 5 Simple Ways to Make Your Home Greener
• Decor Ideas for Getting Your Home Ready For Fall
• 10 DIY Summer Decor Ideas

Let’s connect on Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Twitter | Bloglovin‘

XOXO,