Pet Fire Safety

Pets or wild animals play a part in starting around 750 home fires a year!

MTFPD Video (1:03 minutes)

Here are some ways to keep your pets and your home safe:

• Keep pets away from stoves and countertops so that they do not bump, turn on, or knock over cooking equipment.
• Keep pets at least 3 feet away from candles, lamps, and space heaters.
• For fireplaces, create a pet-free zone of at least 3 feet away from fireplaces or fire pits. For fireplaces, use a metal or heat-tempered glass screen and keep it in place. Glass doors and screens can stay very hot for several hours after the fireplace has been used.
• Battery-operated, flameless candles are much safer for use in homes with pets.
• Make sure pets don't chew through electrical cords.
• Never go back inside for pets in a fire.  If your pet is inside, tell the firefighters and leave the rescue up to the professionals.