We were pleased to be mentioned in this month’s AKC Gazette, in an article about house fires and pets. Fires are a major cause of death for pets. According to Pet Safety Alert, makers of fire-safety decals, an estimated 40,000 pets lose their lives in fires each year. CDC estimates that more than 3,000 people died in house fires in 2005, with more than 13,000 people suffering injuries from house fires.

Our natural reaction is to try to save the ones we love. As a result it’s not uncommon for pet owners to suffer injuries or even lose their lives, by going back into a burning home to save their pets. In the Pet Tech first aid classes we teach “Safety First,” which means not putting anyone…pets or humans…in danger while trying to save another pet. So, as the AKC article points out, if your pet is in a burning building, and you are outside, you must not go in to save them. The lifesaving should be left to the firefighters who are trained for rescue work.

While there is no way to guarantee there will never be a fire in your home, the article offers a fire safety checklist of things that may just save your life, and that of your pets. Just a few of the suggested items to have in your home are smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and a pet evacuation kit. Items in the pet evacuation kit include copies of your pets’ veterinary information, a carrying case or kennel, muzzles, and leashes.

For more information about fire safety and disaster preparedness, see the AKC website. And for information on the Pet Tech First Aid & Care for Your Pets classes see the Pet Tech website.