NATIONAL PET FIRE SAFETY DAY

Fast Facts

WHEN
Celebrated each year on July 15th
FOUNDED
2009 by American Kennel Club
WHY
A reminder for us to consider our pets when planning fire routes and safety in our homes
VIBE
Taking preventable measures now can both save your home and your pet

NATIONAL PET FIRE SAFETY DAY

National Pet Fire Safety Day on July 15th reminds us to consider our pets when planning fire routes and safety in our homes.

#PetFireSafetyDay

Our pets are as much a part of our family as any other member. This day stresses the importance of protecting them. Taking preventable measures now can both save your home and your pet. Many times our pets can cause a fire if we don't take the proper precautions.

8 Pet Fire Safety Pets

  1. Extinguish open flames. Pets are curious and certainly not cautious. Wagging tails haphazardly knock over candles. Curious kitties will paw at sizzling grease, quickly sending a kitchen up in flames.

  2. Remove knobs from the stove. When not in use, they will not accidentally get turned on.

  3. Consider flameless candles for ambiance and backup lighting in the event of a power outage.

  4. Replace glass water bowls with metal or plastic. Outside on wooden decks, they can heat up and actually start a fire.

  5. Store leashes and collars near the entrance of your home. When away, have your pets in the main living area for easy rescue.

  6. Secure young pets when away from home. This can help avoid fire hazards. Pet kennels or in a pet-proofed room are options.

  7. Fire alert window clings help firefighters identify the room your pets are located and identify the number of pets in the home. Add one to the window of the room you keep your pets when you are away. Keep it updated with the number of pets residing with you and your current phone number.

  8. Have a plan when you are home. Know which family members will be responsible for each pet.

Fun Facts

Dalmatians became the official firehouse dogs in the 1700s because they had a natural, calming affinity for horses. They would run alongside the horse-drawn fire carriages to keep the horses calm and protect the equipment while firefighters fought the blazes.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, pets are responsible for starting roughly 1,000 home fires in the U.S. each year. The top offender? Accidental stove knob turn-ons by curious dogs looking for leftovers!

A cat’s whiskers are incredibly sensitive radar detectors. In smoky conditions, a cat uses its whiskers to detect changes in airflow currents, which can help them navigate away from a fire and find small escape routes or fresh air pockets near the floor.

Many modern fire departments now carry specialized pet oxygen masks on their trucks. Unlike human masks, these are cone-shaped to snugly fit everything from a tiny kitten to a large retriever, saving thousands of animal lives every year.

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL PET FIRE SAFETY DAY

Putting these tips into practice doesn’t just protect your home—it ensures your entire family, including the four-legged members, makes it out safely. Here is how you can actively participate today:

  • Practice getting your family and pets out of the house safely. Teach your dogs to come to you when the smoke detector sounds rather than hiding under a bed or in a closet.

  • Assign specific pets to specific family members so there is no confusion during an emergency. Have a backup person designated in case the primary handler isn't home.

  • Walk around your home and ensure your pet alert window clings are up-to-date with the correct number of animals currently living inside. Check that leashes and carriers are stored right by the front door where firefighters can easily find them.

  • Swap out traditional wax candles for LED flameless candles, and look into safety covers for your stove knobs.

  • Take a photo of your pet practicing their safety routine or showing off their emergency gear and share it on social media using the hashtag #PetFireSafetyDay.

NATIONAL PET FIRE SAFETY DAY HISTORY

The American Kennel Club in association with ADT Security Services declared National Pet Fire Safety Day in 2009 to educate pet owners on how to take steps to prevent fires and to plan for unexpected emergencies effectively.