Adventure cat Amelia believes that she is prepared for any fire emergency.
Typist: Bethany
While preparing for a pet friendly day trip, weekend camping excursion or months long cross continent drive, I clearly remember my father always checking and strategically placing our vehicle fire extinguishers. But my father was not the only traveling fire safety teacher I had. In fact, it was integral to have a second fire safety expert in my life because when my father lit his shirt sleeve on fire while lighting the campfire, it was my mother shouting "stop, drop and roll" that saved him from a worse burn on his arm. The night that my father burned his arm was also a good lesson in always knowing where the nearest hospital is located. That lesson translates in my adult pet travels to also always knowing where to find the nearest emergency vet. The big picture moral from my life with two fire safe travel role models is always be prepared and know what to do in case of any emergency. My father never used any of those of fire extinguishers he so carefully prepared and we never evacuated our home the way we had practiced in our family fire drills. And I will obviously never forget "stop, drop and roll." It always helps to practice and to be ready for anything.
While preparing for a pet friendly day trip, weekend camping excursion or months long cross continent drive, I clearly remember my father always checking and strategically placing our vehicle fire extinguishers. But my father was not the only traveling fire safety teacher I had. In fact, it was integral to have a second fire safety expert in my life because when my father lit his shirt sleeve on fire while lighting the campfire, it was my mother shouting "stop, drop and roll" that saved him from a worse burn on his arm. The night that my father burned his arm was also a good lesson in always knowing where the nearest hospital is located. That lesson translates in my adult pet travels to also always knowing where to find the nearest emergency vet. The big picture moral from my life with two fire safe travel role models is always be prepared and know what to do in case of any emergency. My father never used any of those of fire extinguishers he so carefully prepared and we never evacuated our home the way we had practiced in our family fire drills. And I will obviously never forget "stop, drop and roll." It always helps to practice and to be ready for anything.
Pet Friendly Lodging: Know the facilities fire escape plan. If the fire escape plan includes something that may be impossible for a pet like a fire ladder, ask for a different room. If the fire escape plan includes something a pet may be unfamiliar with like a narrow hallway or open stairway, practice the escape before settling in to sleep. Remember that places that are not "pet proofed," which in my experience is every hotel and motel ever, a pet can start a fire. I don't recommend leaving pets alone in a room or allowing them to roam a room. My pets stay confined in crates and/or with exercise pens even when I am in the room with them.
Pet Friendly Camping: Ask the rangers about the park fire or emergency escape plan. It has been my experience that not all locations have an official or site specific plan so be prepared to make a personal campground fire escape plan. Remember that escape by vehicle may not be possible so prepare and be familiar with a walking route to safety. Safe places are usually the nearest ranger station, store or road. Always keep a fire extinguisher near tents and the camp stove. Do not allow pets near the camp stove. Do not allow pets near the campfire. I don't trust a leash or a tether to keep the pets a safe enough distance from the campfire. I always keep them safely confined in their crates or exercise pens. Never leave a campfire unattended or pets unattended near a campfire.
Road Trip Emergencies: Have a plan to evacuate traveling pets from a vehicle on fire or at risk of fire. I always keep my fire extinguisher and pet first aid kit within reach of the driver. The cat and cockatoo always travel in a crate but the leashes the dogs travel in are secured to the vehicle. There are emergency leashes in my pet first aid kit but I also try to pack the car so leashes are quickly available.
Pet Friendly Camping: Ask the rangers about the park fire or emergency escape plan. It has been my experience that not all locations have an official or site specific plan so be prepared to make a personal campground fire escape plan. Remember that escape by vehicle may not be possible so prepare and be familiar with a walking route to safety. Safe places are usually the nearest ranger station, store or road. Always keep a fire extinguisher near tents and the camp stove. Do not allow pets near the camp stove. Do not allow pets near the campfire. I don't trust a leash or a tether to keep the pets a safe enough distance from the campfire. I always keep them safely confined in their crates or exercise pens. Never leave a campfire unattended or pets unattended near a campfire.
Road Trip Emergencies: Have a plan to evacuate traveling pets from a vehicle on fire or at risk of fire. I always keep my fire extinguisher and pet first aid kit within reach of the driver. The cat and cockatoo always travel in a crate but the leashes the dogs travel in are secured to the vehicle. There are emergency leashes in my pet first aid kit but I also try to pack the car so leashes are quickly available.
At Home: Practice for fire emergencies and fire evacuations. On average, there's only two minutes to safely evacuate a burning home once a smoke alarm has signaled the fire. Wilhelm, Brychwyn, Huxley and Leo sleep confined in crates/a cage but Amelia could be more difficult to track down. I do my best to keep up on the cats ever changing sleeping hovels and hiding places. I am prepared to evacuate all of the pets by having spare leashes for the dogs and carriers for the cat and cockatoo readily available. There are "Pets Inside" emergency decals on my front window and front door in case of an emergency when I am not here to help my pets. I also make sure that any pet sitters or neighbors caring for my pets know where the fire extinguishers, emergency leashes and pet carriers are located in my home. Every once in a while, I randomly shout "stop, drop and roll" and reward non-reacting, calm pets.
Fire First Aid: If the worst happens and a pet catches fire, smother the fire with a (preferably damp) towel, blanket or anything nearby that will rapidly deprive the burning fur or feathers of oxygen. Quickly put cool water on the burned area, followed by a cold compress and seek immediate veterinary help. Knowing pet first aid and CPR and having appropriately sized dog and cat CPR masks in a pet first aid kit can be lifesaving for a traumatized pet.
Fire First Aid: If the worst happens and a pet catches fire, smother the fire with a (preferably damp) towel, blanket or anything nearby that will rapidly deprive the burning fur or feathers of oxygen. Quickly put cool water on the burned area, followed by a cold compress and seek immediate veterinary help. Knowing pet first aid and CPR and having appropriately sized dog and cat CPR masks in a pet first aid kit can be lifesaving for a traumatized pet.
During the camping trip when my dad burned his arm, I don't remember where my dog, Natasha, was during the upheaval. I think she was with me in the tent, out of harms way. I watched my burning father start to run, obey my moms solid "stop, drop and roll," then he and my mom surveyed the damage to his arm by flashlight. Natasha was always a pretty laid back dog which is probably why until we loaded into the car to take my dad to the hospital, I am not certain where she was. Natasha did not chase my running, burning father or burst from the tent to help check the wound. But that is the kind of campsite chaos Wilhelm, Brychwyn and Huxley, a crazy cat and easily startled cockatoo would cause were a situation like that to occur to Jason and I. Desensitizing the dogs, cat and cockatoo to a "stop, drop and roll" yell, an emergency evacuation, the sight of a fire extinguisher or being covered with a blanket to smother burning fur or feathers is yet another reason for fire safety practice and being prepared for anything. I hate to think of any situation where I would need the pets to be calm through a fire but having experienced a campfire emergency myself, I know the true importance of traveling fire safety.
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We're just sharing important information or stuff we like!
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