Do you have an emergency preparedness plan in case a fire would break out in or near your home? How would you evacuate your pets? If you don’t know the answers to these questions, you definitely need to figure out a plan to protect your pets. Wildfires have continued to break out and burn in California, and according to the San Francisco Chronicle, the emergency fire costs have currently added up to $305 million. The fires have incinerated wildlife and homes, so what would you do if this happened to you?
In case of fire, you should prepare yourself and your family. Discuss and decide on ways you and your pet can safely escape when you are on different floors of the house. Keep a fire extinguisher or fireproof blanket on every floor of your home. Another important item to have prepared is a kit filled with everything your pet would need if you had to leave your home and stay somewhere else for a few days. This kit should have food, water, medication, litter, leashes, cleansing wipes, etc. And, of course, always make sure your pet has updated ID tags and a carrier, if your pet is small enough for one.
During an emergency, you never know what is going to happen. Although you might have a solid plan, it probably will not be carried out perfectly, which is why you should have contact numbers for people who can help you out. For example, you might have no other choice but to live in a hotel for a few days so you should have numbers to local hotels that take pets. Also keep numbers for local shelters, animal hospitals, friends, family and neighbors who might be able to lend a helping hand.
Having some type of plan in store can give you peace of mind, and you will be able to react to the situation more calmly. Fires can happen suddenly regardless of where you live so give your pet a better chance for survival by including them in your emergency preparedness plan.
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