Pet Owner Fire Damage Safety in Hyrum

The Washington Post recently shared an article from South Korea where officials are warning their citizens to beware of house fires caused by cats. The Metropolitan Fire & Disaster Headquarters there estimated that more than 100 fires over the last 3 years were started by cats who had managed to turn on electric stoves with their paws. Seems a little crazy right? And Hyrum is a long way from South Korea, but fire damage started by pets is not just a problem on the other side of the world. According to the National Fire Protection Association, almost 1,000 home fires in the United States are started each year by pets. Although it doesn’t specify what percentage of these fires are started by cats specifically, it does bring to attention just how important fire safety is for pet owners. If you have a house pet in Hyrum, here are some safety tips you should keep in mind that may just prevent you from dealing with fire damage especially during these cold winter months when your pets spend most of their time indoors.

Fire Damage Hyrum

• Pets are curious and can easily bump into, knock over, and even turn on cooking equipment when not being watched. Keep pets away from stoves and do not let them on countertops to help reduce the risk of  kitchen fire breaking out because of your pet.
• If you have a lit candle burning, do not leave it unattended. Tails can easily swipe over candle flames, sending them towards nearby objects, and candles can easily be knocked over. Consider using battery0operated flameless candles if you have pets around.
• Check power cords and cables for chew marks, and do your best to keep them out of reach from pets who like to gnaw on things. Any frayed or damaged cords should not be used, as electrical fires can result from damaged cords.
• When developing a fire evacuation plan for your home, be sure to include your pets whenever possible. Assign an able member of the family to be responsible for them to help better increase the odds of a safe and successful evacuation if a fire does break out in your home. That being said, never delay your own escape, and tell all household members to never delay their own escapes for a pet. It is also important to never go back inside a house that is on fire for a pet. Instead, tell the firefighters how many pets you have and their names so that they have better odds of safely removing them from the building.

While the first thing you think of when it comes to your pets is definitely not how to prevent them from burning your house to the ground, fire damage prevention definitely needs to be considered and proper steps and actions should be taken to help reduce the risk. Since fire damage is unexpected and unpredictable, we want to be sure you are as prepared as possible. At Sierra Restoration, we offer fire damage services in Hyrum and throughout Cache Valley. If you find yourself dealing with fire damage, no matter what the cause, give us a call.