Many pet owners don’t realize their beloved animals can inadvertently get up to mischief that leads to a house fire. To avoid the need for subsequent fire damage repair, learn how to protect your pet and home with the guide below. 

How Pet-Related Fires Start

Stovetops

Though you might think your pet can’t operate a range, they can start a fire with one. Gas stoves can either light or leak gas and cause an explosion or fire. Remove knobs or cover them if your pet is home alone. Don’t keep soup, stock, or other items simmering on a stove if you’re going to be absent from the house for any amount of time.

Open Flame

Pets, especially cats, are curious. Candles, incense, and open fireplaces left unattended can quickly turn into disaster if knocked over by an inquisitive pet. Opt for battery-operated, flame-free candles and protective, tempered glass for the fireplace.

Cords & Wires

Both dogs and cats like to chew on lamp and appliance cords, but doing so poses the danger of electrocution and a fire hazard if a short creates a spark. Keep cords inaccessible to pets behind furniture or otherwise stowed away to avoid requiring extensive fire damage repair.

How to Keep Pets Safe

Limit Their Space

If possible, limit the rooms in the house your pet can access while you’re away during the day. Use baby gates and movable pens to keep dogs in one area that also leads outside, so they can be easily found by emergency workers in the event of a fire. Cats are harder to confine; close doors to adjacent rooms to keep them in an area with an outdoor exit.

Pet Notifications

Put cling stickers or decals on the windows or doors to indicate how many and what kinds of pets are inside. Emergency workers will see the decal as they enter the home. Have one at each entrance to the house, and keep them current. Also, upgrade your home’s smoke detectors to those monitored by emergency responders, so even if no one is there to report a fire, they’ll know when something is wrong.

If a pet-related accident happened in your home and you need fire damage repairs, trust All Care Restorations, in Roca, NE. With over 20 years of experience, they’re your go-to experts for smoke and fire damage repair. They also handle storm and emergency clean up and provide thorough and compassionate remediation for trauma and bio-hazard situations. Call (402) 421-3779 for 24/7 assistance, or visit the website to see their full range of services.