Pet Fire Safety Day is sponsored by the The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), ADT Security Services and the American Kennel Club® (AKC) and encourages people to have a plan to get your dog to safety and help them after the fire. We wanted to give you a few tips to keep your dog safe during and after a fire.

Outdoor Fires

If your pup is afraid of fires keep them inside while you have a cookout, campfire, or bon fire. This will keep your pup away so they won’t try to put out the fire or corral you and your family away from it.

You should also keep a fire extinguisher and plenty of water near by. That way if the fire gets out of hand it can be quelled quickly. You will want plenty of water to stop the fire as well. Dogs have an amazing sense of smell and can smell smoke and burning embers long after the hot dogs and gram crackers have been put away. Always poor water on a camp or bon fire then stir with a shovel and cover with water again. This way your dog won’t keep you up all night trying to warn you of a fire or hurt themselves trying to escape home to stop the fire.

Have A Plan

If your home should catch on fir your entire family needs to understand the plan for getting out and getting out safely. Your pet must be a part of that plan. If you have a pet one person must be in charge of getting them out of the home and to safety. You should also keep all their medications in one well-known place so they can be picked up quickly as you’re leaving the building. Practice an escape with your whole family (including your pup) annually to avoid mistakes in the event of an actual fire.

Keep Your Pooch Calm

In the event of a fire you will need to get your pet out quickly and efficiently. Do so by talking to them in calm tones and without roughly grabbing or pulling. This will scare them and they may run away back into the flames. The best thing to do is put a leash on your pet so you are attached. A pet carrier is always best for small animals but may not always be viable. Once out give them plenty of water and reassurance. They are losing their home too and will surely be scared and confused.