WITH the current cold temperatures in South Africa, we tend to use our electric blankets, heaters and fireplaces a lot more. Where it is perfectly understandable with these freezing temperatures, we still need to keep in mind the dangers of causing fires, especially when we leave these appliances on while we are not at home and our pets are.
Losing your beloved pet in a house fire is every pet owner’s worst nightmare. House fires not only threaten the lives of its human occupants, but also those of their pets. It is well worth thinking about what your plan of action will be in case of an emergency such as a house fire.
Plan ahead
Should you leave your pets indoors while you are away, make sure to leave them somewhere near an exit so that firefighters can easily get access to them. Also make sure that you do not leave any appliances on while not at home, that could potentially cause a fire.
Make sure your pet is always tagged with an ID with your telephone number on so that in case of such an emergency, where they could get lost, they can be returned to you safely.
A very good idea is to put up a sign near your front door that can inform firefighters of the types and amount of pets inside of your house. This is a simple thing to do. Make sure it is easily visible to rescue workers. Include the number of your local veterinarian. Should you evacuate with your pets and time allows, write “evacuated” across the stickers.
Always have a plan of action so that when emergency strikes, everyone in your household knows what to do. Assign responsibilities so that in the panic of the moment everyone can have a clear head and know exactly what they need to do and which pet they are responsible for. Know where your pets are and know where their hiding places are so that you can find them immediately. Practice escape drills, and have your dog’s leashes or your cat’s carry box in a place that is easily accessible. Have a family member, friend or trustworthy kennel where your pets can be boarded in case you are unable to return to your home for a while.
Keep curious pets safe
Fires may also be caused by pets themselves. Pets, in general, are curious creatures and may want to investigate heaters, fireplaces, candles or cooking appliances. Make sure your pet is never left unattended around an open flame, even though it may not cause an immediate fire, it can lead to them burning themselves. Always extinguish any open flames, such as a fireplace, thoroughly before leaving your home. And keep in mind that a pet can easily burn themselves on the grill of a gas heater.
Be prepared for all kinds of emergencies
During power outages or water cuts, which we experience quite a lot in South Africa, access to a supply of fresh water is particularly important. Fill up baths and sinks ahead of time to ensure you and your pets have plenty of access to water. In the event of flooding, go to the highest location in your home, or a room that has access to counters or high shelves where your pet can take shelter. Take heed of weather warnings, power outage and water cut warnings, in order to stay prepared.
Including our pets in our home evacuation takes simple planning. Planning ahead can save much heartache.
That’s it for this week, from me, Vinkel and Koljander. Paw five! Woof!
