House Fire: Know How to Protect Your Pets
July 7, 2009 – 10:28 pm
What type of disaster preparedness plan do you have for your pets in case a fire occurs? In order to reduce chaos in high stress situations, it helps to have a plan in place. Even more importantly, a plan can save lives in the process and this includes your pets too. Recently, in Wichita, Kansas, two pets were saved simply because the local firefighters had access to pet oxygen masks. This just goes to show that sometimes you need a plan and the proper equipment.
Pets can react in many different ways to fires. Sometimes they run away or seek shelter indoors. Regardless of which way they react, it’s important to think ahead and put them on a leash so they can safely escape the home with you. If they flee under the bed or hide in the corner, they will get more smoke exposure, and it can be difficult to locate them when you’re trying to get out of the house.
The first way you can increase the chance of your pet’s survival during a fire, is to keep a couple leashes stored in different closets and drawers of your home. Also, make sure that your pet has its ID tags on in case it runs away. Second, you can contact your local fire department and find out if they have specialized oxygen masks for pets. This can give you some peace of mind in case your pet or a neighbor’s pet ends up suffering from smoke inhalation.
Knowing CPR for people and pets is an essential in any disaster preparedness plan. The following are signs and symptoms of smoke inhalation: abnormal breathing, burnt hair, coughing, bright red gums, and discharge from the eyes, mouth or nose. Performing the ABCs of CPR on your pet can help stabilize the animal, but it’s important to see a veterinarian to ensure that your pet doesn’t have fluid in the lungs or any other problems.
Don’t forget to start CPR by puting your pet in a comfortable position, because it could be in shock. Shock can lead to cardiac arrest, so try wrapping your dog or cat in a blanket. However, don’t move the animal too much if you suspect that it has broken bones.
Some other ways to protect your pet include storing carriers and crates in accessible areas of your home. You can also assign family members certain duties relating to your pet. When you consider your pet a loved member of the family, it’s beneficial to setup these preventative measures in case of fire.
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Tags: CPR steps, pet CPR, pet oxygen masks