3 Ways to Prevent Pet-Related Fires

8/18/2020 (Permalink)

Dogs can sometimes jump up on the stove and turn the knobs by accident.

You love your pets and naturally want to protect them from harm. Unfortunately, pets can sometimes cause fires in the home if a few simple precautions aren’t taken. While fire damage repair can help restore your home, it’s best to prevent fires from breaking out in the first place. Here are a few ways you can protect the health of your pets and your family. 

What You Need to Know About Pet-Related Fires

1. Be Careful With Candles

A wagging tail is a sign of happiness in dogs, but it can also be hazardous around open flames. Pet owners are encouraged to forgo conventional candles for flameless ones. If you do use candles, place them somewhere your pets can’t reach them.

2. Safeguard Your Stove

Larger dogs sometimes jump on stoves and inadvertently turn the knobs with their paws. This could result in pets burning themselves, but it can also lead to a fire if there are flammable materials nearby. Along with removing papers, cardboard, and fabrics from around the stove, you should also consider removing the knobs on the stove when away. You can also install locks on the knobs to prevent your dog from inadvertently turning them. 

3. Use Ceramic or Stainless Steel Water Dishes Outside

While it may seem unlikely, using a glass bowl on a wooden deck for your dog’s drinking water can also be a fire hazard. When the sun’s rays are filtered through water and glass onto the wood beneath, a fire can break out — similar to what happens with a magnifying glass on a sunny day. If a fire occurs on your deck when you're not around, it can easily spread to the home and cause significant destruction.