Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/pets-house-fire-accident/

America loves its pets — an estimated 70% of households (more than 90 million homes) have one or more, according to the American Pet Products Association!

While our pets can offer us companionship, protection, and affection, they can also be a handful. Every year, more than 100 billion dollars is spent providing for our furry friends.

While most of that is for typical needs such as food, vet care, and toys, every year there are 1,000 Americans whose home catches fire because of a pet.

Here’s how it happens:

Stove Knobs

Many pet-caused house fires start in the kitchen. According to American Humane, “An accidental nudge of a stove knob is the number one cause of house fires started by pets. By preventing your pet from interacting with a stove, you can take a big step toward preventing fires.”

Unattended Flame

Already a recipe for disaster, unattended flames such as candles and log fires are sources of fascination for pets, especially cats. Make sure that when you leave a pet unattended, you don’t leave open flames the same way.

Electrical Cords

If your pet is a chewer, you’ve likely already gotten this one taken care of. If you’re adopting a new pet or you’re not sure, it’s worth looking around your home at any loose electrical wiring, cabling, or cords that would injure your pet if chewed, could potentially short circuit and cause a fire, or would mean costly repairs if damaged.

No one plans to have a house fire, but if you’re smart, you can be prepared for emergencies. Make sure your pet’s information is up-to-date, in case they become lost during a fire. Talk to your family about each person’s responsibilities in case of a fire or other emergency. And, be aware that pets are uniquely vulnerable to fire of any kind in that they will likely need assistance evacuating.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends that pet owners make sure “pets are included in your family’s wildfire evacuation plan. Build an evacuation kit for each pet in your household.”

With these tips in mind, let’s hope that 2022 is a year with fewer fires from both inside and outside the home!

Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog