As we move into the peak of the wood-stove and space-heater season, wnctimes is looking at how local fire departments handle emergencies at unoccupied homes—and how you can help them save your property and your pets.
The Dilemma of the Locked Door
When first responders arrive at a house with no one standing out front, they immediately begin an "investigation mode." They check for heat signatures, listen for alarms, and peer through windows. If there is evidence of an active fire, they must enter.
If the home is locked, firefighters are forced to use forced entry. This involves using specialized tools to break locks or hinges. While necessary to stop a fire from spreading, it can be a jarring experience for a homeowner to return to. Furthermore, the time it takes to breach a reinforced door is time that could be spent knocking down the flames.
Saving the "Furriest" Family Members
The most heart-wrenching aspect of a house fire when you aren't home is the safety of your pets. Firefighters are trained to search for life, which includes cats, dogs, and other companion animals. However, smoke is often more dangerous than the heat itself.
To give your pets the best chance, consider these tips:
Pet Alert Decals: Place stickers on or near your front and back doors specifying how many dogs, cats, or other animals are inside. This tells crews exactly who they are looking for during a search.
Keep Crates Near Entries: If you crate your pets while away, keeping them in rooms closer to an exit can make it faster for a firefighter to locate and remove them.
The Importance of Access: A locked door doesn't just keep people out; it keeps pets in. This is where pre-planning becomes vital.
Making Entry Easier (And Avoiding Damage)
There are ways to help the fire department reach your pets and your property faster without needing an axe:
The Knox Box Solution: Many WNC fire departments advocate for the Knox Box, a small, secure vault installed on your home that holds your key. Only the fire department has the master key. In an emergency, they can unlock your door, save your pets, and extinguish the fire without breaking a single window.
Smart Locks: If you have a smart lock, you can often provide a code to the 911 dispatcher or unlock the door remotely once you are alerted to the emergency.
Visible Addressing: Ensure your house number is visible from the road. If firefighters spend three minutes trying to find the right driveway, that is three minutes of smoke inhalation for a pet inside.
A Community of Care
Our local firefighters are dedicated to protecting every member of your household—on two legs or four. By ensuring your home is accessible and your pets are "accounted for" via window decals, you are giving our heroes the tools they need to succeed.
WNCTimes