Pet Fire Safety: How to Keep Pets Safe During a House Fire

We do what we can to prevent disaster, but sometimes the worst does happen. In the event of an emergency such as a house fire, it’s important for pet parents to be prepared to save themselves and their animals.

To keep animal fire safety at the top of pet parents’ minds, the American Kennel Club and ADT Security Services have an annual National Pet Fire Safety Day on July 15.

For 15 years, this date has served as a reminder of the importance of disaster preparedness, and these organizations both seek to educate pet parents on how to keep their animals safe during a house fire.

There are multiple steps you can take toward pet fire safety, some less obvious than others. Below, experts weigh in on fire safety for your family, pets and all.

Preparing Your Pet for a House Fire

Whether or not you currently live with pets, you should equip your home with working smoke detectors and accessible fire extinguishers on each floor.

Some pet parents may also want to place rescue alert stickers on their front windows in order to notify fire departments that pets are in the house. Just remember to take these off the window if and when your pet is no longer a part of your family.  

Equally important is having an emergency escape plan, which should always include your pet. While dogs can be trained to come when called, other animals will need rescuing.

Nicole Savageau, VMD, at Highland's Pet Medical Clinic in Austin, Texas, says knowing your pets’ routines and where they spend their time can help you find and evacuate them quickly.

“It's good to have their carriers ready,” Dr. Savageau says, “and know exactly where they are located.”

If it’s not possible to locate your pets quickly, it may be best to get yourself out of the house first and let the local fire department know where your pets may be.

“We've saved a lot of dogs and cats over the years from fires,” says Colin Altman, retired fire chief and previous president of the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association. “Firefighters are human too. We want to help who we can.”

Consider a Disaster Kit for Pets

In the event of a fire, you’ll want to have everything you and your pets need for survival ready to go.

Be prepared to grab these items as part of your emergency escape plan. To simplify this step, you may want to prepare a disaster kit for your pets.

These kits have everything your pets would need, including copies of medical records, extra food and medication, litter, bedding, food bowls, leashes, collars, toys, and a pet first aid kit.

“These kits usually have information on how to do mouth to nose resuscitation,” Dr. Savageau says. She also notes that pet parents may want to sign up for pet first aid classes, which can prepare them to respond to emergencies if needed.

How To Prevent Your Pet from Starting Accidental Fires

Part of fire safety is fireproofing your home, which requires a little extra foresight for houses with pets.

Altman recommends you “fireproof your house in the same way you would baby-safe your house.” Go through each room and look for anything that could potentially catch fire. Think about what your pet might see at their eye level, or where they could jump if they’re a climber.

“Sometimes you have to kind of think like an animal,” Altman says. “What can they get into that's going to cause problems?”

One of the biggest prevention tactics is monitoring open flames at all times, including candles, fireplaces, and gas stoves. Depending on the pet, you may also want to:

• Remove the knobs to gas stoves when not in use—especially if you have a dog or cat that likes to climb on counters.

• Choose flame-resistant materials for all pet bedding and toys. Natural fibers and cotton are typically recommended.

• Keep electrical cords covered, using a pet-safe cord protector to prevent chewing.

• Check with an electrician before setting up aquariums and terrariums to avoid circuit overloading.

Practice Fire Safety with Your Pet

Practicing for a fire will help you stay calm and level-headed if an emergency strikes, and keep your pets less panicked as a result. Fire drills are a great way to do this.

For families with kids, or anyone who lives in an area where fires are common during certain times of year, Altman recommends monthly fire drills and including your pets and their disaster kits in each drill.

“If you practice and include the animals with that fire escape plan, it becomes second nature to find the dog or the cat or whoever and take them with you during an evacuation,” Altman says.

You might also want to include a list of emergency veterinarians in your pets’ disaster kit. Although you may be able to tend to some minor injuries yourself with your first aid kit, Dr. Savageau recommends “seeking veterinary care if there are true injuries and trauma that are not minor.”