AKC News (www.akc.org)
[July 15, 2009] To help reduce the estimated 500,000 pets affected by home fires each year, The American Kennel Club and ADT Security Services today launched the inaugural "National Pet Fire Safety Day."
This nationwide awareness day educates pet owners about potential risks when pets are left home alone and provides them with proven prevention measures to ensure their safety.
According to a recent AKC study, 88 percent of pet owners consider their pets to be valued family members so it makes sense to include them in fire prevention plans and rescue alerts should a house fire strike. As part of National Pet Fire Safety Day, AKC and ADT have developed helpful prevention, escape and rescue tips for pet owners.
"One of the hallmarks of responsible dog ownership is keeping pets safe and planning for unexpected emergencies, including house fires," said AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "Pet-proofing the home, developing pet-friendly escape routes and alerting rescuers of your pets presence with window decals is the best way to keep your four-legged family member from harm."
ADT Home Monitoring can call for help, even when you're not at home.
Affix a Pet Alert Window Decal – Write down the number of pets inside your house and attach the static cling to a front window. This critical information saves rescuers time when locating your pets. You can obtain a free window cling by going to adt.com/pets or at AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Days events. Details are available at akc.org.
Keep Your Information Updated - Firefighters are familiar with pet alert window clings so keep the number of pets listed on them updated. Knowing the accurate number of pets in the house aids rescuers in finding all of your pets.
Extinguish Open Flames - Pets are generally curious and will investigate cooking appliances, candles, or even a fire in your fireplace. Ensure your pet is not left unattended around an open flame and make sure to thoroughly extinguish any open flame before leaving your home.
Pet Proof Your Home - Take a walk around your home and look for areas where pets might start fires inadvertently, such as the stove knobs, loose wires and other potential hazards.
Secure Young Pets - Especially with young puppies, keep them confined away from potential fire-starting hazards when you are away from home.
Keep Pets Near Entrances – When leaving pets home alone, keep them in areas or rooms near entrances where firefighters can easily find them.
Practicing Escape Routes with Pets – Keep collars and leashes at the ready in case you have to evacuate quickly with your pet or firefighters need to rescue your pet.
Pets Left Alone Can’t Escape a Burning Home – Use monitored smoke detectors which are connected to a monitoring center, providing an added layer of protection beyond battery-operated smoke alarms.
Carbon Monoxide Detection Systems
Are you - or a family member - elderly or disabled, but committed to maintaining independent living?
Can't decide which ADT home monitoring service is right for you? Learn more about ADT Home Security Systems.
ADT Home Security Systems help protect the people and things you value most: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. (read more about ADT Customer Monitoring Centers)
1 Push the help button in the event of an emergency.
2 A Monitoring Professional will respond over the base unit intercom.
3 If you do not answer, ADT will call first responders for help.
Emergency Response Systems can help you or a loved one live safely and independently..
Each year more than half a million pets are endangered by fire.
An ADT Home Monitoring System can help keep your pets safe.
"Lia Wentworth and her family had left Justice - their Labrador Retriever - home alone.
No one knew Justice was in trouble."
Read the heartwarming story of Justice the Labrador Retriever.