Angry flames shoot out of the second-floor window as the fire department arrives. You’ve escaped just in time with your puppy in your arms, your heart racing as you watch the firefighters extinguish the raging blaze. As you sit on the curb, you hug your puppy as hard as you can, grateful you escaped in time with your beloved dog.
Unfortunately, this scene plays out all around the country too often. According to the National Fire Protection Association, US fire departments responded to an estimated average of 350,800 home structure fires per year during 2016-2020, causing $7.3 billion in damages. When you consider that 66% of homes or 86.9 million households own a pet according to the 2023-2024 APPA National Pet Owners Survey, that’s a lot of pets that need rescuing every year! Unfortunately, some don’t make it. However, you can proactively protect your puppy from fires with easy steps.
July 15 is National Pet Fire Safety Day intended to spread awareness of how to protect your pets and promote fire safety and fire prevention nationwide. As a puppy owner, you should know how to keep your pets safe during a fire so you can take steps to prevent house fires and act quickly and calmly under immense pressure.
Learn about pet fire safety prevention for your puppy and how canines assist firehouses with investigations and comfort to those in need.
Pet Fire Safety Prevention
Luckily, you can put measures in place to prevent fires in your home. You can implement these easy steps before bringing home your new puppy, while you’re at home with your puppy, and when you have to leave your puppy home alone.
Before your puppy arrives
While you’re preparing your home for a new puppy, be sure to check on your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors to see if they function properly and change the batteries regularly. Learn how to use a fire extinguisher and keep it easily accessible to places like the kitchen where fires are more likely to occur. Purchase a pet awareness sticker for all entrances alerting first responders to the presence of pets. Take canine CPR classes for certification and keep a dog first aid kit handy.
One of the most effective ways to puppy-proof your home from potential fires is to get on your puppy’s level and look around your home. Check for electrical cords they can trip on or chew. Those enthusiastic wagging tails can easily knock over candles with open flames on the coffee table, so replace all candles with flameless options. Remove stove knobs to prevent your puppy from turning on a burner when learning not to jump up or counter surf. Block the entrance to a fireplace so they cannot flip a switch or get hurt by a burning fire. Clean up piles of papers, clothing, crafting supplies, and clutter that could accelerate a fire, and keep pathways clear. You can have peace of mind knowing you’re a responsible puppy owner by taking these easy steps before your puppy comes home.
Protect your puppy from fires at home
Congratulations! Your puppy has arrived, and your home is now set up to prevent fires from happening to keep your puppy as safe as possible. Here are ways to continue to keep your puppy safe, both at home and when you are away:
- Secure your puppy in a crate or a confined area near an entrance when you are gone. This will help firefighters locate your puppy quickly.
- Keep collars and identification tags on at all times. Collars make it easier for firefighters to get ahold of your puppy and secure them on a leash so they aren’t running around a dangerous and potentially lethal fire scene, and knowing your puppy’s name and contact information helps first responders alert you immediately.
- Microchip your puppy with current information in case you are separated from your puppy during a fire crisis. Check with your Pawrade breeder to see if your puppy already arrived with a microchip.
- Teach your dog to come when called with the Recall command. Puppies can have a difficult time mastering this one, especially in moments of chaos. However, it’s still a good idea to keep working on it consistently, as it may save their lives in dangerous situations like a fire.
- Make an emergency pet disaster preparedness plan with your household, and practice your plan regularly so everyone knows what to do when you only have moments to think. This includes having numbers and locations of shelters, emergency veterinarian information, and a meeting spot if your family is separated.
- Always re-evaluate your home to check for hot spots of potential danger. Keep pathways clear, secure grills, fire pits, and fireplaces, purchase flameless candles, continue to check for cords and stove knobs left on, and utilize baby gates as puppies are learning proper behavior in the home.
Firehouse Dogs
When you think of a firehouse dog, your first inclination is to picture an iconic black and white spotted Dalmatian standing alongside a bright scarlet vintage firetruck ready to assist on a call. Dalmatians have an incredible work ethic and fearless nature, two traits a firehouse dog would need under intense situations. They also worked well with horses that pulled the fire carts before engines were invented. Dalmatians proved invaluable to firefighters, helping to clear the streets of carriages, people, and wandering animals to make it easier to rush to calls.
Today, fire departments have branched out and utilize all sorts of dog breeds to serve the public alongside firefighters as canine arson investigators and comfort dogs.
Accelerant detection dogs
You may be familiar with service dogs that assist humans in tasks of daily living or provide comfort. One unusual job for dogs you might not have heard of is an accelerant detection dog. Also called arson dogs, these canines are trained to detect substances that accelerate fires, such as lighter fluid, diesel, kerosene, propane gasoline, butane, other solvents, and highly flammable liquids. They are also trained to identify burnt plastic and wood that may aid criminal investigations, and how to notify their handlers if they find anything noteworthy.
Before becoming integral members of the fire department, arson K9s undergo an intensive selection and training process that can last up to two years. Because humans do not have the scent capabilities as canines, accelerant detection dogs can perform tasks and help solve crimes better than a person’s nose alone.
One Labrador Retriever arson detection dog named Tank has gained popularity on social media and has helped spread the message of fire prevention beyond his firehouse. Tank the Arson K9 serves California’s San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District in the Bay Area, partnering with Fire Captain Matt Terry to investigate fires. He operates under dangerous conditions to perform tasks humans cannot do alone. In between calls, he works on training sessions to stay at the ready and provides much-needed comfort and companionship to station firefighters. Tank’s work extends beyond fiery crime scenes. He serves as an ambassador for fire safety and fire prevention awareness, attending public events and appearances at schools and organizations.
Comfort dogs
Fires are traumatic events to experience, and people who have literally run for their lives are left shaken up. Oftentimes, first responders like EMS and firefighters are busy doing their jobs, leaving victims off to the side until the crisis is contained. Firehouse comfort therapy dogs help ease emotional trauma and complex feelings associated with sudden life-changing events. According to Dr. Abby Morris, the IAFF Center of Excellence’s medical director, “There have been countless studies showing the benefits of animal contact during times of stress or to predict medical or emotional problems before they occur, such as seizures, nightmares, panic attacks, etc.”
Jackson the fox-red Labrador Retriever serves the Los Angeles County Fire Department as one of seven official therapy dogs. Not only is he invaluable to fire victims, but he also provides much-needed comfort to the firefighters who deal with immense amounts of stress to help boost morale and mental wellness. The fire chief’s daughter has posted viral videos on social media of Jackson the fire department therapy dog, spreading awareness of fire prevention and mental health. However, it’s not all fun and games for Jackson. He receives extensive training in between calls while being a beloved community member. Jackson has helped people speak about their trauma, something they may not be able to do with humans. Jackson has also comforted firefighters when they have lost their own brothers and sisters who sacrificed their lives to keep the public safe. LA County has had so much success with Jackson and their other therapy dogs that other fire departments are taking note, introducing their own fire comfort dogs as integral members of their station.
Beat the Heat With a Pawrade Puppy
If you need a buddy to keep safe from fires, turn to Pawrade. We have a dog breed for everyone raised by reputable breeders who keep the best interest of puppies in mind, using their extensive knowledge to select the best parents for temperament and conformation to produce healthy puppies. Pawrade also keeps you safe via a secure transaction management system to streamline a safe, scam-free adoption process. Check out our puppies for sale to adopt your new best friend!
