Miami-Dade Fire Rescue is reminding residents across the county to include pets in their household fire escape plans.
Lt. Jeanette Harrington shared pet fire safety guidance in a video posted to MDFR's official X account on July 15, marking National Pet Fire Safety Day. The department urged pet owners to plan ahead, noting that animals depend on their families to keep them safe during emergencies.
The National Fire Protection Association estimates that nearly 500,000 pets are affected by home fires each year in the United States, with about 40,000 dying from smoke inhalation or burns. Pets also play a role in starting roughly 750 home fires annually, the NFPA reports, most often involving cooking equipment, fireplaces, space heaters and candles.
Prevention tips
The NFPA and American Kennel Club recommend several steps to reduce risk:
- Extinguish all open flames before leaving home, including candles and fireplaces.
- Cover or remove stove knobs so pets cannot accidentally activate burners.
- Keep electrical cords out of pets' reach.
- Use flameless candles instead of traditional ones.
Emergency preparedness
For households with pets, the organizations advise:
- Place "pet alert" window clings on exterior doors listing the number and type of pets inside.
- Keep ID tags and microchip information current.
- Designate one family member to be responsible for evacuating pets.
- Include pets' known hiding spots in the household plan.
Never go back inside a burning building for a pet. The NFPA advises telling arriving firefighters if an animal is trapped so they can attempt a rescue.
Local resources
MDFR serves Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach and Golden Beach as part of its countywide operations. Residents can reach the department's Public Education and Community Outreach division at 786-331-4820 for fire safety trainings. The non-emergency main line is 786-331-5000. In an emergency, call 911.
A free pet fire safety tip sheet is available at nfpa.org.
