Cooler weather means fireplaces, candles, space heaters, and fire pits are back in use. And while they make your home cozy, they can also pose serious risks for pets. This fall and winter, help keep your furry family members safe with these fire safety tips from VEG ER for Pets.

In this article, we'll review:

• How to set up a pet-inclusive emergency fire escape plan

• What to pack in an emergency go-bag for your pet

• Visibility safety items to use to help firefighters know what pets are in your home

• Carbon monoxide poisoning prevention tips

• Safety tips for heating sources around your home

Remember: VEG emergency vet hospitals are open 24/7 if an emergency happens.

Having a plan saves precious moments if a fire disaster strikes. Remember that VEG ER for Pets is open 24/7 if your pet needs immediate care.

Pet parents' fire safety planner

Your pet depends on you for safety when disaster strikes. We've prepared helpful advice to help you keep your little buddy safe.

Fire safety tips for pets

• Always supervise your pet when there's a heat source in the room.

• Look for signs of overheating in your pet, especially when they're napping.

• Ensure nearby exits are open and unobstructed

• Make sure water is always available to your pet. 

• Make sure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are up to date; perform a monthly test on detectors to ensure they're working properly.

• Make sure fire extinguishers are up to date and easily accessible.

• If running an open flame source, check that coals and embers are completely extinguished and cool before leaving unattended.

• Keep leashes, carriers, and blankets near exits in your home.

• Ensure ID tags and microchips are up to date.

• Know your pet's hiding spots; they're likely to run there when scared.

• Read up on important information from the ASPCA's pet health insurance blog on what pet parents should do in case of a house fire.

What to pack in your pet's emergency go-bag

Keeping a bag of pet essentials that you can grab and go near an exit can save you a hardship later.

Here’s what to include:

• Two weeks' worth of food and water

• A manual can opener, if your pet eats canned food

• Food and water bowls

• Your pet’s medications and any written prescriptions

• Flea and tick preventatives

• Waste bags, disinfectant wipes, paper towels

• Litter and litterbox for cats

• A blanket or towel for comfort

• Favorite toys to help reduce stress

• Leash, collar, and harness

• A pet carrier for each pet

• Up-to-date microchip and ID tag information

• Recent photos of your pet, in case you get separated

Fire safety: Pet alert tools for visibility

You know your home, but your local firefighter doesn't. Firefighters may not know there are pets inside your home — especially if you’re not there to tell them. Step up the safety level for your pet and help firefighters quickly know that you have beloved pets in the home by affixing pet alert safety tools like window stickers or clings.

Place alert stickers near front windows or doors where they’re easy to spot during a rescue. List the number of pets and what kind of pets you have in the household.

Taking a few simple steps by affixing a pet finder sticker can make a critical difference during a fire.

Carbon monoxide poison prevention for pets

Carbon monoxide is odorless and tasteless, making it nearly impossible to detect without a monitor. But its effects on pets can be sudden and severe - especially during the winter months when CO emissions rise and many people are getting more use out of their furnaces, water heaters, and fireplaces.

Watch out for these common symptoms in an affected pet:

• Coughing or labored breathing 

• Weakness or lethargy 

• Vomiting

• Seizures

• Bright red gums

Carbon monoxide poisoning in birds

Due to their uniquely efficient respiratory systems, birds in particular are much more vulnerable to the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning and other airborne toxins, like Teflon. It’s important to keep your bird’s surroundings well-ventilated, and remember this rule of thumb: if you can smell it, it could be harming your bird. 

If you notice any of these symptoms and suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, don’t hesitate to move your pet to fresh air immediately and take them to your nearest VEG emergency vet. Acting quickly could save their life.

Fire safety tips for pets: common household heat sources

Fireplaces, woodburning stoves & fire pits - safety tips for pets

• Train your pup to keep away from the fireplace/stove/fire pit and use a barrier such as a pet gate to keep them at least 3’-5’ from the fire source.

• Use a fireplace screen as an additional barrier between your pet and the fire and to help keep hot embers from reaching your pup.

• If your pet starts sneezing, panting, or showing signs of breathing troubles, move your pet to another room. If symptoms continue, seek veterinary care.

• Make sure your fireplace/wood stove is properly maintained and always check that the damper is opened before starting a fire.

• Hearths can get hot, so keep them clear of objects and make sure gates or barriers are placed to keep your pet away from them.

• Don’t play or roughhouse with your pet near fireplaces, fire pits, or wood stoves. It’s too easy to bump into gates or screens or have your dog accidentally toss a toy into the flames.

• Keep fireplace and wood stove tools safe from your pet to avoid injury. Make sure standing tool holders are sturdy and can’t easily tip over.

Keep space heaters at a safe distance from your pet. In case of emergency, VEG ER for Pets is open 24 hours every day for emergency vet services.

Space heaters - how to help keep your pet warm and safe

• As with any heat source, never leave your pet unsupervised in a room with a space heater.

• Maintain a minimum 3' clearance around the heater, keeping any potentially flammable items like pet bedding, pet toys, blankets, rugs, or curtains away from it.

• Keep the heater out of reach from your pet, either by its placement location or by using a barrier such as a pet gate.

• Make sure your heater is on a flat, stable surface to avoid tip-over risk.

• Don’t play or roughhouse with your pet near a space heater.

• Turn off your heater and unplug it prior to leaving the room or going to bed.

• Don’t use extension cords with portable heaters since the cords can overheat and are a potential fire hazard. Plug the space heater directly into a wall outlet, instead.

• Keep your pet safe around space heaters by choosing one that includes the following features:

  • Be sure your space heater is MET or UL safety tested.

  • Choose a model that has tip-over protection that automatically shuts off the heater if it's knocked over.

  • Make sure your heater is one with enclosed elements or cool-to-the-touch design to reduce the risk of your pet getting burned. Ceramic heaters typically offer cool-to-the-touch surfaces.

Pet owners need to know about fire safety and be prepared to act with proper fire safety protocol. Read on for more fire safety tips.

Candle fire safety tips

• Candles can contain harmful ingredients such as essential oils that are toxic to pets (peppermint, citrus, or pine) and paraffin wax that releases harmful toxins like benzene and toluene when burned, causing respiratory issues for dogs.

• Choose pet-safe candles made from beeswax, soy, or coconut wax in scents like vanilla, lilac, or lavender. Opt for candle brands that are specifically pet safe.

• Keep candles out of reach from pets and never leave your pet unattended in a room with a burning candle. Make sure candles are on a solid, level surface.

• Ensure exits are open and unobstructed so your pet can get away from the scent if they want.

• Choose container or jar candles that hold melted wax. These also have wider, more stable bases.

• Limit candle burning to no more than 4 hours. Glass container candles can overheat and crack, spilling hot wax and causing a fire/burn hazard.

• Consider using a plate candle warmer. This will release the candle scent without an open flame or smoke, extending the life of your candle.

• Flameless candles are another pet-friendly option. They can provide a warm glow similar to open flame candles but without any scent.

What if your pet suffers a burn?

Accidents can happen no matter how prepared you are. Always bring your dog to the emergency vet at your nearest VEG if they have a burn. Burns require immediate treatment. There are initial steps you can do at home prior to taking your dog to the emergency vet at VEG:

3 steps to treat burns before going to ER vet

1. If your pet gets burned, immediately apply cool water - not cold water or ice - to the affected area for 10-15 minutes to help stem tissue damage.

2. Gently pat dry, and loosely cover the affected area with sterile gauze

3. Immediately bring your pet to your nearest VEG ER hospital.

VEG ER for Pets is always open

Once your pet is at the hospital, depending on the severity of the burn, they'll be treated with additional immediate cooling to the affiliated area, wound cleaning, pain management, antibiotics to prevent infection, and with more serious burns, IV fluids to combat shock and ensure proper hydration. 

Remember, VEG emergency vets are always here to help you and your pet 24 hours a day, every day.