\u201cNobody thinks it could happen to them but the reality it that year-round we attend to house fires many of which threaten the lives of not only the residents but their pets too,\u201d said Charnel Hattingh, national marketing and communications manager for Fidelity ADT.<\/p>\n
Along with that she added that some fires are, in fact, caused by pets, especially when they are left alone on a property.<\/p>
\u201cAnimals are generally curious and will investigate cooking appliances, candles, or even a fire in your fireplace.<\/p>\n
\u201cEnsure your pet is not left unattended around an open flame and make sure to thoroughly extinguish any open flame before leaving your home.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlso, be sure to remove stove knobs or protect them with covers before leaving the house,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Hattingh said it is also useful in the event of a fire to discuss who in a home is responsible for helping a pet escape and carry out some practice escape drills.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n \u2018Take me home\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Mandela Day fun and fund-raising for needy animals<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDevelop a plan for your pet by determining which family member will be responsible for each pet.<\/p>\n \u201cKnow where your pets hide as this may be the first place they go to if there is a fire.<\/p>\n \u201cAsk someone in your family or a friend in advance if they would be willing to keep your pets for you in case of an emergency,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Practice your escape plan.<\/p>\n This will help identify issues that are not clear or have not been well planned yet.<\/p>\n \u201cKeep collars on pets and leashes at the ready in case firefighters need to rescue your pet.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen leaving pets home alone, keep them in areas or rooms near entrances where firefighters can easily find them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOur pets are part of the family and need to be taken care of.<\/p>\n \u201cIt only takes some simple planning to include your pets into your home evacuation plans and to minimise the fire hazards in your home,\u201d said Hattingh.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Also follow us on:<\/p>\n
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