With the tagline, “Ever Wonder What Your Pets Do When You're Not at Home?”, the newest animated film from Universal Studios comes to theaters at a perfect time to highlight National Pet Fire Safety Day on July 15. Back in 2009, The American Kennel Club together with ADT Security Services established National Pet Fire Safety Day to raise awareness among pet owners of the fire hazards their cat, dog or other animal could pose at home, with the hope that many of these fires can be prevented. According to reports, many fires are caused by pets, especially when are left alone in the house. NFPA's latest numbers show that local fire departments responded to an average of 700 home structure fires per year in which animals, including pets and wild animals, contributed to the fire's start. A few of the causes include: Pets bumping into, turning on or knocking over cooking equipment, lamps, candles or space heaters Birds, rodents or other animals building nests in chimneys,  or in or on top of equipment Animals chewing on cords or wiring As pet owners, we can take steps to help prevent fires and plan for unexpected emergencies. Important actions to consider are: Keeping pets (who are naturally curious!) away from stoves and countertops where they can knock over, bump into or turn on cooking equipment Using battery-operated, flameless candles that look just as nice as real candles but won't catch fire if knocked over Making sure pets stay away from lamps, spaceheaters and other heat-producing appliances Keeping an eye on your pets to make sure they don't chew through electrical cords; inspecting cords regularly and calling a professional if you notice a problem It's also important to know that in the event of a fire, you should never go back inside for your pets. Instead, tell firefighters that you have a pet trapped inside. They are better equipped and trained to handle these emergency situations. And what if you live in the wildland/urban interface where forest and wildland fires are more prevalent? And your pets include other animals like horses and cows? Then you know that in the event of a wildfire you may have to quickly evacuate. Planning ahead, like including pets in your family's evacuation plan and creating their own pet evacuation kit is key to helping you stay calm and organized during a stressful time. Not sure where to start? You can find a number of resources including videos, tips sheets and toolkits at www.nfpa.org/takeaction. So if you're a pet owner with a cat or dog or other animal that lives in the house with you, or you have animals that live on your farm, let today, July 15, be the day that moves you to action and motivates you to create and practice a plan that keeps every member of your family safer from fire.

​The fire that destroyed a 161-year-old Manhattan cathedral last month was sparked by Easter candles left burning by a caretaker, officials said Thursday. “Fire marshals have . . . determined that candles, which had not been completely extinguished, caused the fire,” FDNY spokesman Frank Gribbon was quoted as stating in a New York Post article. Investigators were able to find evidence in the remains of the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sava that proved caretaker, Slobodan Ljubenko, 69, had accidentally caused the May 1 fire by failing to put out the candles, sources said. No charges are expected. The tragedy reinforces the importance of reviewing candle safety tips in religious settings. Candles should be placed in a sturdy candle holder. Lit candles should not be placed in windows where a blind or curtain could catch fire. Places of worship should be equipped with a fire detection and sprinkler system. NFPA's Religious Candle Safety tip sheet provides additional information on using candles safely in places of worship. We want to hear from you! It's easy to comment on posts: just look for the log in link above to log in or register for your free account on Xchange. Xchange is more than a blog; it's an online community that connects you with peers worldwide and directly with NFPA staff. Get involved today!

At home or at work, all of us at one time or another have used extension cords to power up a lamp or TV, computers, our electronics and other gadgets. But did you know that if you use these cords the wrong way, you could start a fire? Yes, in fact, roughly 3,000 home fires start in extension cords each year, so it's important to keep safety in mind when using them. All through the month of May, Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is promoting National Electrical Safety Month with tips, tools and resources to help raise awareness of electrical safety. This week we're highlighting ESFI's extension cord safety infographic, which provides important steps you can take to help you and your family reduce the risk for damage or injury when using extension cords throughout your house. Download it for free and share with family and friends. Think you've got safety under control? Take a look at an extension cord you may have in your living room, kitchen or bedroom. If it looks like a spider web with multiple cords protruding out of it, It means you have too few outlets in the room for your needs. Solution? You'll want to consult a licensed electrician and consider having additional outlets installed in the room and throughout the house. This is just one of the many safety tips you can get from ESFI. Review the infographic to get more resources that will point you in the right direction. You can also get great information on NFPA's electrical safety webpage including a downloadable tips sheet and video.

Some years ago, when I was looking to rent the first floor of a three-family house in New Britain, Connecticut, I noticed that the apartment came with security bars on the interior windows. I didn't understand the importance of the quick release mechanism on the bars–this was before I came to NFPA. I was simply glad to have protection from burglars, especially because I was living on my own. The quick release mechanism provided me with safety from crime and a quick way to release the bars and access the windows should I become trapped. Some security bars, also called burglar bars, can trap people in a fire and keep firefighters from rescuing them. NFPA's new customizable tip sheet on security bar safety, available in English and Spanish,  provides information on the different types of security bar quick release devices available and tips for home escape.

For centuries, in many parts of the world, sky lanterns have been launched for play or as part of long-established festivals. That tradition continues; their popularity has increased in recent years. However, sky lanterns pose a serious fire safety hazard and their use is prohibited by NFPA code requirement. The NFPA 1: Fire Code, 2015 Edition states the following: The use of unmanned, free-floating sky lanterns and similar devices utilizing an open flame shall be prohibited. Sky lanterns are made of oiled rice paper with a bamboo frame, materials that can easily catch on fire. A candle or wax fuel cell is used with the device. The lit flame heats the inside of the lantern, causing it to rise into the air. Once lit and airborne, the lantern can travel more than a mile. Wind can affect it, blowing the sides, forcing hot air out and sending the flaming lantern to the ground. These lanterns have the potential to start a fire. In late February, a sky lantern released during a park event in Wisconsin, burned more than 15 acres in about an hour. NFPA's Sky Lanterns Safety tip sheet provides more information on the hazards of sky lanterns and their prohibition.

Hoarding is a condition in which a person has persistent difficulty discarding personal possessions. The large amount of possessions fill the home and prevent the normal use of space. Hoarding also increases the risk of fire and can put both residents and first responders in danger. NFPA's newest safety tip sheet, which is customizable, explains the fire risk, describes the impact on first responders, and offers ways to help reduce the risk of fire injury.