Pets have a special place in our hearts and homes. In fact, 70% of American homes have a pet as a part of their family. Further research shows that people who own pets reap a variety of positive benefits, so it’s only natural that owners take the precautions necessary to keep their beloved animals safe.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), almost 1,000 house fires each year are unintentionally set off by the homeowners’ pets. Having a professionally installed and monitored life-safety system can help save the lives of your pets and loved ones in a house fire while you are at home, asleep or away.
Help prevent your home and pets from becoming a statistic
Professionally monitored security systems can alert authorities and homeowners to intruders, fire, or carbon monoxide on the premises, all of which are important whether anyone is home or not. For pets, a monitored system is especially critical because when no one is home, they are locked in and can’t call for help. If your house catches fire, how will your pets escape the blaze? A security system that is serviced with UL-certified professional monitoring 24/7 can ensure that help is on the way fast.
Since pets can’t dial 911 in case of an emergency, consider the safety tips below to
help prevent a potential house fire accidentally set by your pets while you are asleep or away.
- Secure young pets. Keep them confined, such as in crates or behind baby gates in secure areas, and away from potential fire-starting hazards when you are away from home.
- Keep stoves and countertops clear of cutting boards. Pets are curious and can bump into, turn on, or knock over cooking equipment. More fire safety tips here.
- Extinguish open flamesand consider using battery-operated flameless candles.
- Include pets in evacuation plans. Never go back inside a burning building for pets. Tell the firefighters if your pet is trapped in your home. Additional family emergency escape plan information
- Make an emergency kit. Include a leash, your pet’s medication, vet documents, some food and a recent photo and description of your pet.
How A Professionally Monitored System Works
Smoke alarms provide an early warning of a fire and offer families precious time to escape to safety. But the NFPA found that in 2009-2013, smoke alarms did NOT sound in about half (47%) of the home fires reported to U.S. fire departments mostly due to battery issues (i.e., missing, disconnected or dead batteries).
Although legislation varies by state, a battery or AC powered smoke/CO detector is typically required by law, and the NFPA suggests that batteries are checked every six months. A professionally monitored system offers greater protection when you’re home, asleep or away because it can detect smoke and deadly Carbon Monoxide (CO) and alert the central monitoring station of an issue while your family escapes to safety. The central monitoring station can also notify you if a smoke/CO detector has a low battery.
The process is simple: first the system detects, and then it dispatches first responders, if needed. When smoke or CO is sensed in your home, the detector will send a message to your system, causing the sirens to sound. With professional monitoring, the system will relay the emergency signal to your monitoring center. Dispatchers at the monitoring center are trained to manage the alarm process: from receiving the signal, verification of the alarm and w If needed, first responders will be dispatched to your home, whether you are home, asleep or away.
Additional Benefits for Pet Owners
A professionally installed and monitored system offers value beyond the life-safety component. You can add cameras to your system to see your pets in real-time. You can even add motion sensors to your system without worrying about setting off false alarms. Resideo’s Indoor MotionViewer has passive infrared technology that can detect the difference between an intruder and a pet – letting animals up to 100 pounds move freely without triggering an alarm.
With Resideo’s Total Connect Remote Services’ easy-to-use app, you are connected anytime, anywhere, from your mobile device. The two-way voice feature of the Total Connect cameras allows you to see, hear and speak to your dog or pet sitter at your house and know what your pet is up to—all with the swipe of a finger. The system can even let you know if outdoor gates are left open or if kitchen cabinets with dangerous chemicals are ajar. With interior and exterior cameras, you can keep connected to your pet 24/7/365. Professional monitoring, together with mobile control puts the things that matter most in the safest hands.
February 2023: Social Media Video
