On April 28, Spain lived an unprecedented electric blackout that left the entire Iberian Peninsula without supply for almost 23 hours in some points of the geography. This event generated an immediate response from the population, which ran out of Survival products Like batteries, hornillos, camping gas and candles; Products whose demand increase was 36% on platforms such as milanuncios.
However, the use of candles and other alternative lighting elements in the presence of animals that live in households can increase the risk of domestic fires. In countries like the United States, the National fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates that approximately 750 fires are produced every year household caused by animals Company.
Animals and fire risk
Family animals, especially dogs and cats, can cause domestic fires accidentally. Among the most common causes are turned candleinvoluntary activation of appliances or damage to electrical cables. In the United Kingdom, the North Yorkshire Fire Service has registered in the last year a dozen fires related to dogs and cats, even exceeding those caused by lithium batteries or by electric scooters.
One of the most prominent incidents occurred in Harrogate, where three dogs had to be rescued after a fire caused by themselves by accidentally igniting the kitchen. To avoid this type of situation, it is advised Keep indoor animals away from the areas where it is cookedespecially if they are alone at home. Kitchens must be free of accessible controls that a dog or cat can activate when jumping or supporting, and is preferable Install doors or barriers that limit their access to these rooms in the house.
The British Fire Department also alerts the risk that electrical cables represent. Dog and cat puppies, for their natural curiosity, They tend to bite the cableswhich can cause short circuits and fires. It is important to ensure that the cables are out of reach or protected with special covers, a simple but effective measure to minimize this danger.
Recommendations
The use of candles, especially after a blackout such as April 28, increases the risk of fire if there are animals with free access at home. The recommendation is Opt for candles without flamefed by batteries, which offer the same atmosphere without the associated danger. If traditional candles are used, they should never be neglected in the presence of pets. To reduce the risk of fires caused by company animals, the North Yorkshire Fire Service has made public recommendations:
- Keep animals away from cooking areas and appliances.
- Use LED candles or safe lighting devices.
- Ensure electrical cables and prevent them from being available to animals.
- Do not leave pets without supervision in rooms with heat or fire sources.
- Ensure that pets have microchip to facilitate their rescue in case of emergency.
Las Chimneys also require special attention. Installing metal or tempered glass screens prevents animals from getting too close to the fire, while maintaining an animal -free area of at least one meter around the chimney reduces the risk of burns or accidents. Likewise, external grilles of the chimneys must be monitored, since they can reach high temperatures and cause lesions to curious animals.
The key to Prevent fires caused by animals lies in adapting the domestic environment. Craig Lyons, Chief of Firefighters of North Yorkshire, insists on the importance of doing “pet proof” households, eliminating loose cables, disorder or elements that can be easily demolished.
