Firefighters offer advice to keep you and your pets safe during a fire

PRINCE GEORGE – For people with animals, pets often feel like a part of the family. Most pet owners would do almost anything to protect their pets but high-stress situations like a house fire can put pets and their owners at serious risk.

Having pets can be an enriching experience but animal ownership isn’t without risks. Having pets can be a lot of fun, but firefighters say often times their curious nature can be the cause of fires.

Homeowners can buy a variety of items to protect their families and pets in the event of a fire. Escape ladders and fire extinguishers are available at a variety of stores. The most important thing you can do is have an escape plan to get you and your family out safely.

Another way to be proactive is to make sure that you have working smoke alarms. The fire department recommends testing your smoke alarms every month and replacing batteries every six months.