In Case Of Emergency Pet Window Alerts

[Shai]

I recently saw window stickers to put on your house in case of fire/emergency intended to alert the first responders to the presence of pets in the home. Usually some form of emergency insignia followed by text reading "___ dogs inside."

Does anyone use these? More importantly, does anyone have ties to the first responder professions and know whether such notices are used, and if so how best to display them (style, placement, making it clear they are up to date, etc.)?

 

[milos_mommy]

I see them used very frequently. As far as whether they're considered by professionals, I think it really depends on the officers and the unit/area. Here, I think they do, animal welfare is taken very seriously in my area and most supervisors in emergency services do take into consideration pets...I know growing up my father (a civilian) went into a burning building to get out someone's pets and received an award from the local precinct along with others who had done the same for people. And that was 15+ years ago. I think firehouses here actually give them out, I've seen them at tables at fairs and stuff. And I've seen firefighters talk about using them at school fire safety events. So I know at least the fire department acknowledges them (here), not sure on police or EMTs or anything.

 

[JessLough]

The city's emergency services gives them out here, so I'd assume they were paid attention to.

That said, I never used them solely because the number of pets in my house at any time is fairly fluid, so there's no real set number. I do ensure to have something alerting to pets in the house, though.

 

[Kat09Tails]

I am a little more security conscience now as the risk of burglary or someone well meaning causing an issue is greater than my risk of house fire. So I use these signs on the property line now.

 

[DJEtzel]

I have one of these in my window on the way into the house and kind of worry about it, honestly. I've been considering taking it off. I just don't have a consistent number of dogs in the house with fosters and boarders, and REALLY worry that I will have all the dogs with me and something happens at home and some nice first responder risks his or her life trying to save animals that aren't there at all.

 

[sassafras]

I was told by a firefighter once that the because people don't keep them up to date, those stickers can give people a false sense of security and they can be frustrating for the responders.

His suggestion was to put a note like "updated mm-dd-yyyy" on or near it frequently for it to be the most useful.

 

[Shai]

I was told by a firefighter once that the because people don't keep them up to date, those stickers can give people a false sense of security and they can be frustrating for the responders.

His suggestion was to put a note like "updated mm-dd-yyyy" on or near it frequently for it to be the most useful.

That was my plan! I've heard the same complaint about cjildren stickers that are out of date.