Jim Humphries, B.S., D.V.M.
Jim Humphries, B.S., D.V.M.
Male
Colorado Springs - CO
Specialties: dogs, cats, behavior therapy, horse care
Interests: cats, dogs, animals, Medicine, Horses, history, hiking, colorado, motorcycles, back pain, exercise, spine, fusion, degenerative disc disease
Male
Colorado Springs - CO
Specialties: dogs, cats, behavior therapy, horse care
Interests: cats, dogs, animals, Medicine, Horses, history, hiking, colorado, motorcycles, back pain, exercise, spine, fusion, degenerative disc disease
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Preventing Pets from Dying in House Fires!!
Jul 02, 2009 04:11PM
- 9 comments
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Each year in the United States, thousands of people lose their lives to fire. Tens of thousands are injured and the financial costs can reach into the billions of dollars. Almost forgotten in these tragedies are the hundreds of thousands of family pets who suffer death or injury as well.
Fire is a very scary thing! We use controlled fires to heat our water, cook our meals and power our cities, but for most people, fire is a wild, ravaging beast. And, despite educational programs that start in pre-school, every year more than three thousand people die in house fires. Sadly, those who survive a house fire often lose cherished four-legged family members to the smoke and flames.
According to the US Fire Administration’s website (www.usfa.dhs.gov), more than 1.7 million uncontrolled fires occur annually in the US. The Fire Administration does not keep tally, but other groups have estimated that more than 500,000 pets are killed by house fires each year. Why are we so good at saving human lives, but our pets seem to perish?
One potential answer is the presence of smoke alarms in our homes. For more than 30 years, laws have required the presence of these life-saving devices in any home or apartment. In fact, the Public/Private Fire Safety Council has called for an elimination of residential fire deaths by the year 2020 and smoke alarms figure prominently in their plan. But the high pitched alarm that saves so many human lives is not helpful for saving our pets.
We all realize that it’s time to evacuate when the alarm sounds, but our pets don’t know that. Worse yet, the unknown sound could scare a pet into hiding, increasing our own risk for harm as we search for the missing kitty or pup.
And, the sad fact is that many pets will die in house fires because they are unable to get out of the home. This often happens when the family is away. Rescue personnel are frequently unaware of pets needing help.
The heroic efforts of firefighters may save some pets from the flames, but damage from smoke or carbon monoxide inhalation can overwhelm many. Life-saving equipment, such as oxygen masks, is usually designed for people meaning some animals may die enroute to the veterinarian.
Fortunately, many diverse groups are working to improve the survival chances of pets caught in fires. Many concerned groups, from alarm monitoring companies, like ADT Security, to local veterinarians and humane organizations are looking to save the half a million pets lost each year.
As with many tragedies, preventing the occurrence is the best first step. Pet owners are urged to “pet proof” their home and look for potential fire hazards. Always extinguish open flames before leaving your home and consider keeping younger puppies and kittens confined to prevent them from accidently starting a fire.
Firefighters are trained to look for window alert signs and make attempts to save pets. These “window clings” are often available from the American Kennel Club or visit ADT’s website (www.adt.com) to obtain a free one. Beyond using the signs, you should always update them as new pets arrive in your family!
If you return home to a burning building, you should not attempt to enter, trying save your pets! This is difficult but you need to let the professionals do their job and rescue your animals.
As mentioned, working smoke alarms are helpful to the humans, but if you aren’t there to hear the alarm, your pets could be trapped inside. According to Bob Tucker, PR Director of ADT Security, pet owners should consider monitored smoke detection services as an extra precaution. By alerting the fire department more quickly, these services increase the chances that your pets will get out safely.
Finally, due to the efforts of local veterinarians and animal volunteers, many rescue services across the nation now have access to “animal-appropriate” oxygen masks. These devices help deliver life-saving oxygen more effectively and will increase the chance of your pet’s survival. Other veterinarians teach courses on effective animal CPR techniques to first responders.
Saving pets from the horrors of fire will be easier thanks to dedicated fire fighting professionals, alarm companies, veterinarians and humane organizations all working together.
Fire is a very scary thing! We use controlled fires to heat our water, cook our meals and power our cities, but for most people, fire is a wild, ravaging beast. And, despite educational programs that start in pre-school, every year more than three thousand people die in house fires. Sadly, those who survive a house fire often lose cherished four-legged family members to the smoke and flames.
According to the US Fire Administration’s website (www.usfa.dhs.gov), more than 1.7 million uncontrolled fires occur annually in the US. The Fire Administration does not keep tally, but other groups have estimated that more than 500,000 pets are killed by house fires each year. Why are we so good at saving human lives, but our pets seem to perish?
One potential answer is the presence of smoke alarms in our homes. For more than 30 years, laws have required the presence of these life-saving devices in any home or apartment. In fact, the Public/Private Fire Safety Council has called for an elimination of residential fire deaths by the year 2020 and smoke alarms figure prominently in their plan. But the high pitched alarm that saves so many human lives is not helpful for saving our pets.
We all realize that it’s time to evacuate when the alarm sounds, but our pets don’t know that. Worse yet, the unknown sound could scare a pet into hiding, increasing our own risk for harm as we search for the missing kitty or pup.
And, the sad fact is that many pets will die in house fires because they are unable to get out of the home. This often happens when the family is away. Rescue personnel are frequently unaware of pets needing help.
The heroic efforts of firefighters may save some pets from the flames, but damage from smoke or carbon monoxide inhalation can overwhelm many. Life-saving equipment, such as oxygen masks, is usually designed for people meaning some animals may die enroute to the veterinarian.
Fortunately, many diverse groups are working to improve the survival chances of pets caught in fires. Many concerned groups, from alarm monitoring companies, like ADT Security, to local veterinarians and humane organizations are looking to save the half a million pets lost each year.
As with many tragedies, preventing the occurrence is the best first step. Pet owners are urged to “pet proof” their home and look for potential fire hazards. Always extinguish open flames before leaving your home and consider keeping younger puppies and kittens confined to prevent them from accidently starting a fire.
Firefighters are trained to look for window alert signs and make attempts to save pets. These “window clings” are often available from the American Kennel Club or visit ADT’s website (www.adt.com) to obtain a free one. Beyond using the signs, you should always update them as new pets arrive in your family!
If you return home to a burning building, you should not attempt to enter, trying save your pets! This is difficult but you need to let the professionals do their job and rescue your animals.
As mentioned, working smoke alarms are helpful to the humans, but if you aren’t there to hear the alarm, your pets could be trapped inside. According to Bob Tucker, PR Director of ADT Security, pet owners should consider monitored smoke detection services as an extra precaution. By alerting the fire department more quickly, these services increase the chances that your pets will get out safely.
Finally, due to the efforts of local veterinarians and animal volunteers, many rescue services across the nation now have access to “animal-appropriate” oxygen masks. These devices help deliver life-saving oxygen more effectively and will increase the chance of your pet’s survival. Other veterinarians teach courses on effective animal CPR techniques to first responders.
Saving pets from the horrors of fire will be easier thanks to dedicated fire fighting professionals, alarm companies, veterinarians and humane organizations all working together.
I had no idea about the window clings, and I would be more than willing to lose everything I own if my animals got out okay. Thank you very much for the information!
I sleep in the same room as my dog, and have a well-worked out plan for if there is a fire. All that really matters to me is getting her, and myself out through the window as quickly as possible. All I'll need apart from her is the clothes by my bed and my boots on.
I also have a plan for my dogs, should be have a house fire and need to escape ASAP. Fortunately my dogs sleep in the bedroom with us and both my husband & I agree that they would be our top priority.
I got the window clings from the local pet shelter. They are free and you can get as many as you want. I live in an area of very high fire risk and have lots of woods and underbrush around my home. I have one on every single window. And I still worry like crazy! But mostly when we have to go to work and leave them.
A quick note; you can get stickers you place on your front door that indicate to firemen that there are pets inside the house. Ask at your local fire station, pet store, or A.S.P.C.A.
Great post. We just remodeled and had smoke alarms put in almost every room. I never thought of how the 5 dogs would react to these and that they might hide if they go off. Sounds like we need to get some stickers and a plan put in place. I think I will set some alarms off and see if any of the dogs hide and where they hide. Thanks for the info.
In terms of thinking about a plan, I wonder (and in fact I don't know if it's smart) about the idea that once you are out of the house, you go to a non-burning side of the building with a door (if there is one) and open the door. I don't know about this because I don't know if it would in fact make the situation worse by letting air in to feed the fire I think I'll ask my brother-in-law, a fireman, about this), and because I don't know if the cat or dog would just hide if things got smoky or if it would go to a door to try to get out. But maybe if it was still safe to approach the house, opening at least one door would mean that the dog or cat could get out once it got that far.
Great post. We have the stickers on the back door. I need another one for the front of the house. Our fire department is only 2 blocks away. We had a fire in our home office one night and did not know it.
Years ago our cat "Snuggles" meowed and meowed that night. I told him to lay down...he jumped out of the bed and then he went back into the hall and started scratching at the door, still meowing. I was very tired that night. He then jumped back in bed with me and bit me on the nose and batted at my face. I of course jumped up thinking.....ok something is reallllly wrong here. He was very loving. He ran to the door meowing and when I opened the door the flames rolled up to the ceiling. WOW. The smoke alarm outside the door never went off. He saved our home I believe and all of our lives. Long story short ever since then it really made me think about fires.
With the dogs I've always questioned though how I would ever get my dogs (1 Great Dane and 1 Rottie mix) out a 2nd floor window if the steps were not available. My thoughts are out the window (onto the porch ~ a 6 inch drop) and if need be into a net if available, or if need be into our bass boat 9 feet down. Our cats are locked up in one room at night now.
I figure once they are safe from the fire then I could put them all in the Blazer where I wouldn't have to worry about them running off, due to fear.
My biggest fear is that a fire would break out while I'm not at home. I don't think my Dane would let anyone get close to him without me here.
The window clings really are great though. I not only have it listed how many animals I have but also a note on where they can be located at, at night.
Years ago our cat "Snuggles" meowed and meowed that night. I told him to lay down...he jumped out of the bed and then he went back into the hall and started scratching at the door, still meowing. I was very tired that night. He then jumped back in bed with me and bit me on the nose and batted at my face. I of course jumped up thinking.....ok something is reallllly wrong here. He was very loving. He ran to the door meowing and when I opened the door the flames rolled up to the ceiling. WOW. The smoke alarm outside the door never went off. He saved our home I believe and all of our lives. Long story short ever since then it really made me think about fires.
With the dogs I've always questioned though how I would ever get my dogs (1 Great Dane and 1 Rottie mix) out a 2nd floor window if the steps were not available. My thoughts are out the window (onto the porch ~ a 6 inch drop) and if need be into a net if available, or if need be into our bass boat 9 feet down. Our cats are locked up in one room at night now.
I figure once they are safe from the fire then I could put them all in the Blazer where I wouldn't have to worry about them running off, due to fear.
My biggest fear is that a fire would break out while I'm not at home. I don't think my Dane would let anyone get close to him without me here.
The window clings really are great though. I not only have it listed how many animals I have but also a note on where they can be located at, at night.
I work as a firefighter and unfortunately I have seen several pets die in house fires. The window stickers are great and when we do a search of a building we are looking for animals and people. The last fire I went to a dog died in the building. We discovered that the fire was caused when the dog dragged his blanket off the couch and onto a space heater. So one of the most important things is home safety and prevention. Pet proof your house before you leave for the day. Prevention can be key to keeping your pets alive. We do carry pet oxygen masks with us, but unfortunately it is usually too late. Hopefully all these posts will make a difference for some people and their pets.
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