July 15th is National Pet Fire Safety Day

National Pet Fire Safety Day is all about making sure your pets don't inadvertently start your home on fire. 

The National Fire Protection Association estimates that nearly 1,000 house fires each year are accidentally started by the homeowners' pets.

Such things as loose wires, lit candles, stove top knobs and electrical cords can be hazards if your pet gets to them! 

Take a walk through your home and locate all potential fire hazards and then move, fix or store them out of reach!

Don't leave pets unattended around open flames. This includes lit candles, fireplaces and bbq's. 

Always make sure before you leave your home that these are distinguished completely! 

If you use an Alarm Company make sure your fire detectors are connected to their fire response center. Pet's can't escape if your home is on fire and if you need to rely on a neighbor or a person passing by your home, precious minutes are lost. 

You may want to consider placing a "Fire Safety" "Pets Inside" sticker in your front door or house window and make sure it is up to date with the correct number of pets inside. This can assist firefighters in trying to locate all of your pets. 

Have a house safety plan. Of course people need to protect themselves and get out first and foremost, especially with a fast moving fire, but if there is time, make sure collars, leashes and maybe even a kennel are accessible at either your front or back door. 

Make sure your pets are Microchipped so that if they escape and someone else finds them they will be more likely returned to you. Keep up to date tags with your information on each pet. 

Know your pet's hiding spots so you can go directly (if safety permits) to them and not have to look all over.  

Thanks pet friends! Please feel free to pass on this important information! Keep safe!