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By Vicki Schmidt
We call them “fur babies” and for many of us they are cherished members of the family. Since 2009, July 15 has been National Pet Safety Day, the day that the fire service dedicates time to helping owners learn how to keep their pets safe during fire-related emergencies.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, pets accidentally cause more than 1,000 house fires annually in the United States. Open flames, especially from candles, along with pets that learn how to turn stove knobs, are two of the most common ways pets contribute to fires. Cats, dogs and other pets, including snakes, have also been credited with warning their owners and saving them from fires.
One of the best ways to ensure your pets’ safety during a fire is to include them in your family fire escape plan. Train them to come when you call and, most importantly, practice your fire escape plan with your pets.
While wildfire and other disaster evacuations are rarely needed in Maine, do not ignore this part of your pets safety. Ensure they have their own disaster supply kit ready to go,complete with food, water, medications and a properly sized pet carrier or crate.
Sadly, more than 40,000 pets die annually in the United States from house fires. Much like children, pets will often hide under beds, in closets and behind doors. Modern fires produce highly toxic fumes and pets are quickly overcome. While there is always a sense of relief when all occupants are known to have exited the building, it is devastating to firefighters to learn that pets have perished.
Luckily, there is some good news for Maine. Many fire departments in Maine now carry pet oxygen masks on their first due response apparatus. Pet oxygen masks, or POMs, as they are known in the fire service, are available in Maine from the dedicated volunteers at the Maine POM Project (mainepomproject.org). Not only do these folks provide POMs to fire and rescue departments, they provide training on their use to all types of local first responders. In fact, as of March of this year, over 580 sets of POMs have been distributed to Maine emergency responders.
There are also ways you can help firefighters find your pets in the event of a fire at your home.
* Confine your pets to areas near entryways when you leave home: ideally, within a room with the doors closed. Closing doors limits the spread of toxic fumes within a home and, combined with POMs and oxygen therapy, may be key to saving your pet’s life.
* Know your pet’s favorite hiding places. Communicate these to the firefighters if your pet does not escape the fire with you.
* Keep collars on your pets to enable an easier rescue for your pet in the event firefighters locate them. Have leashes available outside the home to keep pets close and secure in the event they do escape on their own or are rescued.
— Vicki Schmidt is a Maine state fire instructor and volunteers with the Buckfield Fire Department, as well as several regional and state fire training organizations.
