WHAT TO DO IN FIRE-RELATED PET EMERGENCIES

By: Door Buddy Editors      |     Published: 21 July 2025

When a house fire broke out at 2 a.m., Sarah grabbed her kids and ran. But Max, their beloved Golden Retriever, was trapped in the laundry room. Thanks to their pet fire safety plan, a window sticker, and a practiced drill, firefighters rescued Max just in time.

Every year, thousands of pet parents face pet emergencies like this, and many aren’t prepared. This guide goes beyond basic pet fire safety tips and gives you fill-in-the-blank plans, room-by-room checklists, and real stories to help you protect your fur babies.

SECTION 1: THE RISK (AND WHY YOU NEED A PLAN)

We’ll be real: pets panic during fires. They hide under beds, freeze in fear, or run into danger. And unlike humans, they can’t call 911 or grab the leash.

Did you know?

• Over 500,000 pets are affected by house fires each year

• Pets cause nearly 1,000 fires annually (yep, even cats with candles!)

• Only 1 in 5 pet owners has a fire escape plan that includes pets

• National Pet Fire Safety Day (July 15) is the perfect time to change that!

So Let’s Not Just Make Fire Safety A One-Day Event. Let’s Make It A Lifestyle.

SECTION 2: 10 FIRE HAZARDS IN YOUR HOME (PET PARENT EDITION)

Not sure where to start? Let’s take a room-by-room fire safety tour and pet-proof your home.

Living Room:

• Candles = tail wag disaster

• Electric blankets + fur = risk

Kitchen:

• Stove knobs + counter-surfing cats = hello fire

• Glass bowls outside? Can reflect sun and start fires!

Laundry Room:

• Pet hair in dryer lint traps = fire starter

• Blocked pet doors = no quick escape

Bedroom:

• Pets love hiding here, label windows for firefighters

• Heated pads? Unplug when not in use

Bonus: Download our free Pet Fire Safety Checklist for all the sneaky fire-starting culprits.

SECTION 4: FIREFIGHTERS & VETS SHARE THEIR BEST TIPS

“Keep collars on pets and leashes at the ready, when firefighters arrive, every second counts.”

Firefighters across the U.S. stress that uncollared pets can be missed or run away during chaos, making rescue nearly impossible.

“Place pets near exits when you’re away. That way if a fire breaks out while you’re gone, responders can find them quickly.”

Both the American Red Cross and Texas State Fire Marshal recommend keeping pets in rooms near doors or front windows to speed rescue efforts.

“Use pet-alert window clings showing the number and types of animals in your home.”

These stickers are recognized nationwide. Updating them saves precious minutes during rescue operations.

SECTION 5: KEEP PET FIRE SAFETY TOP OF MIND (ALL YEAR LONG!)

Most people only think about pet fire safety on National Pet Fire Safety Day (July 15), but for pet parents, it should be a lifestyle, not a once-a-year checklist.

Here’s how to make it part of your routine:

• Quarterly safety checks, test your smoke alarms and double-check that your pet emergency kit is stocked with updated meds, food, and water.

• Run a pet fire drill every 6 months with your whole family, yes, even the dog.

• Swap out fire hazards during seasonal clean-ups (think candles, space heaters, and blocked pet doors).

• Set a digital reminder to review your fire emergency plan and update your pet’s microchip info.

These small actions can make a huge difference in an actual emergency, and give you peace of mind all year long.

CONCLUSION: WHAT TO DO IN FIRE-RELATED PET EMERGENCIES

In an emergency, every second counts, and your pet can’t dial 911. Whether it’s a small scare or a full-blown fire, being prepared for pet emergencies gives you the power to act fast and protect the ones who rely on you most.

Taking just a little time now to plan, prepare, and practice can literally save lives.

So whether it’s Pet Fire Safety Day or just a random Tuesday, don’t wait for the smoke alarm to act.

• Download your emergency plan.

• Run your next pet fire drill

And share what you’ve learned, because fire safety for pets isn’t just about your household. It’s a movement.