Pet Safety, in case of Fire
7/2/2019 (Permalink)
An Evacuation Plan That Leaves Time For Pets
Fires can happen to anyone anywhere! When an unexpected fire emergency occurs, it is beneficial to have a plan in place! Everyone, including pets needs to be evacuated and to know where to meet. Make sure your meeting place is a safe distance from the home to avoid smoke inhalation. While the main focus is to get your family out as quickly as possible, having an evacuation plan and practicing it can give you time to get your pets out too. Here are a few steps to take to ensure everyone, even your pets safety:
Practice Makes Perfect
Don’t be caught confused about what steps to take in case of fire. In the heat of the moment, it is almost impossible to think of everything you need to do. This is why practicing the actual plan is important. This will help you to leave time to pick up your pets and take them to the designated meeting spot.
Where do Your Pets Go?
Take note of the places your pets go when they are scared. Does your dog hide behind the sofa when a thunderstorm strikes? Does your cat hide in the laundry room when something startles her? When a fire starts, you do not want to spend a lot of time looking for your animals. Create a checklist of areas to look in case of an emergency. Keep your list on the fridge or pinned to a bulletin board for easy access. Being prepared with this checklist can help get you and your pets out as quickly as possible.
Keep Leashes by the Exit
Sometimes when animals are frightened they will run away. When you are evacuating, it is important to keep your pets on a leash so that as firetrucks and other first responders approach, everyone is safe. You will be able to find your leashes more easily if they are kept by your main exit on a hook. Then you can guide your pet to safety.
SERVPRO of Jackson & Madison County want to help!