Crime & Safety

Keep Your Pets Safe In The Event Of A House Fire

Following a Tewksbury fire that killed a family dog, Patch asked how to keep your pets safe in the event of a fire.

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TEWKSBURY, MA -- The dog that died in a Tewksbury fire Sunday night is one of about 500,000 pets affected by house fires annually, according to the American Red Cross. The aid organization has advice on keeping pets safe from fire and your family and home safe from fires caused by pets, including:

  • Keep pets near entrances when away from home. Keep collars on pets and leashes at the ready in case firefighters need to rescue your pet. When leaving pets home alone, keep them in areas or rooms near entrances where firefighters can easily find them.
  • Affix a pet alert window cling and 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. Make sure to keep the number of pets listed on them updated.
  • The best way to protect pets when a fire starts is to bring them with you. Affix a collar and leash to your dog if possible and keep your cat in a carrier.
  • Know your pets favorite hiding spots. This is where they are most likely to hide if they become frightened during a fire.
  • Affix pet finder decals to windows so fire fighters know how many pets are inside.

    • The American Kennel Club and ADT Security Services offered the following tips for preventing fires started by pets. The cause of the Tewksbury fire remains under investigation, but National Fire Protection Association estimates that nearly 1,000 home fires each year are accidentally started by the homeowners' 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.
  • Remove Stove Knobs - Be sure to remove stove knobs or protect them with covers before leaving the house - a stove or cook top is the number one piece of equipment involved in your pet starting a fire.
  • Invest in Flameless Candles - These candles contain a light bulb rather than an open flame, and take the danger out of your pet knocking over a candle. Cats are notorious for starting fires when their tails turn over lit candles.
  • Secure Young Pets - keep them confined away from potential fire-starting hazards when you are away from home such as in crates or behind baby gates in secure areas.

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    Photo by Dave Copeland/Patch

    Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).

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