Being prepared for an upstairs fire or other emergency is crucial to the safety of your pets. Create an evacuation plan for rescuing your pet from an upstairs fire, and list each step in chronological order. Rehearse the plan regularly. Make an evacuation pack, and a list of emergency contacts. Leave these items in the trunk of your car with an extra key to your home. This preparation will be instrumental in responding to any emergency, including an upstairs fire in your home.
Instructions
Pet Rescue During an Upstairs Fire
1. An evacuation plan should be tailored to the type and size of pet that you have. Practice your evacuation plan with your pet, simulating an evacuation from an upstairs fire, and use a timer to see how quickly you can realistically evacuate with your pet. Install a pet door, if possible, so the pet can escape if you are not home. If you have one or two neighbors who own pets, then you may want to develop a plan to help each other out in case of a fire. Give these trusted neighbors a key to your home so they can rescue your pet. Always leave your pet downstairs when you are not home, and use a safety gate, so the pet is unable to go upstairs.
2. If you have a dog, you can try to train your dog to escape during a fire. Practice will help you move swiftly when you actually have an emergency. If you are unable to train your dog, then hire a dog trainer to help you. Obviously, if you have a pet that cannot be trained, than you need to practice a way to get the pet out of your home from the upstairs area as fast as possible. If you use an alarm company, find out if they offer a service for people who have pets, and advise them of the type and number of pets you have.
3. Create an emergency contact list with the following numbers on it: your veterinarian, a local shelter, two pet sitters, two boarding facilities, two trusted neighbors, a list of local pet food stores and local hotels and motels that accept pets.
4. Pack a ten day supply of any essentials your pet will need . Have an evacuation pack prepared with: canned and dry food (rotate food every month), paper plates, baby wipes, hand sanitizer, napkins, paper towels, several towels, liquid soap, disinfectant, garbage bags, pet bowl, bottled water for up to ten days (replace every month), an extra leash, harness or collar with tags, a copy of your pet's veterinarian file, a two-week supply of any medicine that your pet requires (rotate medicine), a crate, a large bag for travel (for each pet), several flashlights with batteries, at least two blankets, recent color photos of your pet, and toys.
5. Post photos to inform the fire department that you have a pet in the house that you would like them to rescue. Take a current color photo of your pet, scan the photo onto a disc using your computer or any picture kiosk found at Kinkos, Walmart or similar store. Type the following phrase on the photo: "In case of emergency please save me." Type the name, the breed, sex and weight of your pet. Print several copies of the photo and laminate them. Tape the laminated color photo outside every door and egress point of your home. Place the extra photos in your evacuation pack. Or, more simply, you can purchase a generic decal at a pet store or online which states "Please save my pet." Once you have evacuated safely with your pet, leave a note stating that your pet has already been rescued, so the fire department does not spend time or endanger themselves trying to save your pet. Have the note ready and use it, or simply remove the photos attached to the door on your way out, time permitting.
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