National Pet Fire Safety Day Shines Light On Need For Emergency Plans For Pets: Fire Chief

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — No one wants to think about a fire breaking out in their home. But it's important to have not just an escape plan for human loved ones but also to know exactly what to do with pets in the event of a fire.

National Pet Fire Safety Day takes place every year on July 15. Fire officials note that pets should always be factored in to a family's fire escape plan and other emergency planning.

Pet owners should think through what they would do if their smoke alarm would go off in the middle of the night and had only 60 seconds to escape the home with the entire family and pets. Then what would they do once they were outside with the pet. Is there a leash readily within reach? A pet carrier near the door?

“Try to ensure that your pet is accessible on the way out the door. Have a carrier or leash in a convenient place. We know how important our pets are to us but remember that you should never spend extra time inside searching for them in an emergency or go back inside a burning building," Battalion Chief Robert Ferguson with the Office of the Fire Marshaltold Patch. "Firefighters will attempt to search for and rescue animals, and all HCDFRS ambulances have pet oxygen masks in the case of smoke inhalation."

Families with pets that are skittish and tend to hide should make it clear to firefighters and emergency workers just where they should search for a pet that had to be left behind, Ferguson added.

"Let responders know if your pet has a known hiding spot when they get scared - bathtub, under a bed, etc. This information could potentially help firefighters locate pets," Ferguson said.