July 15th was National Pet Fire Safety Day, a reminder to consider our furry family members with fire safety measures in our homes. What electrical fire hazards could you help protect your pets from?

Pets are part of your family, and electricity is part of your home. From mischievous cats, chewing puppies, and malfunctioning electronic pet gadgets, creating a safe environment where animals & electricity coexist is important in protecting your pets from electrocution or accidentally causing an electrical fire.

Here are 4 quick electrical fire safety tips for pet owners.

But I have Ting, why do I need safety tips? Ting is statistically proven to prevent ~80% of electrical fires, significantly reducing fire risk in homes. However, Ting alone cannot eliminate 100% of electrical fire risks. Your safety is our priority. If you have questions, especially if you suspect an electrical risk in your home, please contact us immediately.

Use Electronic Pet Gadgets with Caution

Electronics for pets – particularly heating products – have been a notable source of dangerous electrical arcing detected by Ting. In fact, Ting has detected 100+ fire hazards related to heated pet products over the years! These cases range from heated outdoor shelters for stray cats, heating pads/beds/blankets for elderly pets, automated cat water fountains, heating lamps for reptiles, fish tank components, and even electric dog fences.

To help keep your pets safe: 

  • carefully read instructions before using products – many of the hazards occur from improper use 
  • shut off heating products when not in use or unsupervised 
  • regularly check the cords to these devices for wear, damage, water infiltration, and chewing (which we’ll get to next!) 
  • buy high-quality products that are safety-tested & certified if possible 

“I’d received an alert from Ting stating that there was a potential fire hazard and to call immediately. Within seconds I received a call from the Ting Fire Safety Team, who said that it appeared to be a pet heating pad. She asked me to unplug it and as soon as I did so, she said the arcing had stopped. The heating pad was significantly hotter than it was supposed to be and sort of melting. I’m so thankful the issue was resolved and my cats weren’t harmed or worse.”

– Allan in Appleton, WI

Practice Pet-Safe Cord Management

Many dogs, cats, and even small critters like rabbits love to chew. Electrical cords to electronics and appliances are often located down on “their level” and are quite enticing to chew on, which can cause damage to your devices, electrocution to your pet, or dangerous conditions that can spark a fire.  

To help keep your pets safe: 

  • Cover exposed cords by running them through PVC pipes or pet-proof cord protectors 
  • Store loose power strips, cords, cables, and chargers in cable management boxes  
  • Use cable ties and hooks to keep cords flush against walls instead of on floors/hanging loosely 
  • Be especially careful when introducing “new” cords (i.e. Christmas tree lights) that your pet may be curious about 
  • Closely supervise young animals (puppies & kittens) when in rooms with cords & wiring 
  • If you’re concerned about your pet’s chewing habits, ask your veterinarian about potential underlying behavioral or medical issues 

Importantly, if you notice any wires that have been damaged by chewing, discontinue using the product and do not attempt to fix it on your own. You may need to replace the device or have the cord repaired by a professional.

Keep Electronics Away from Water, and Water Bowls Away from Outlets 

Electricity and water don’t mix. Never keep electronics such as curling irons, blow dryers, or plugged-in cell phones, near water unattended. Cats are infamous for knocking objects over, or a playful dog’s wagging tail could get tangled – causing a serious safety hazard. 

This is a good time to check that your outlets in rooms where water & electricity are in close proximity are GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) protected, such as your kitchen, bathroom, wet bar, or laundry room. If not, it may be time for replacement.  

You should also keep your dog’s water bowl away from any wall outlets to avoid water splashing into the outlet. 

Put Socket Covers on Unused Outlets 

Pets can be curious around electrical outlets, using their noses, whiskers, and paws to investigate. There was even a report where a dog started a fire by urinating on a wall outlet! Putting socket covers on unused outlets where your pets frequent (especially near their beds or crates) can help keep them safe.  

As many pet owners have expressed, having Ting helps bring peace of mind that our furry family members are better protected from electrical fires. If at any point something doesn’t seem right in your home, notify us! We can help you verify the hazard and figure out the next steps to get it fixed. 

A smarter, safer home is paw-sible with Ting! 

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