At Home Run Pet Care, we prioritize the safety and well-being of your beloved pets. Today, we want to address a critical yet often overlooked hazard in many homes: stove knobs. Both cats and dogs can accidentally turn on stove burners, creating dangerous fires, gas, and burn hazards.
The Danger is Real
You might think this is a rare occurrence, but it’s more common than you realize. Just today, during a routine cat-sitting visit, I walked into a home to find a stove burner red hot. The curious kitty, Alejandro, had jumped up onto the stove, inadvertently hitting a knob and turning on the burner. I took a quick photo to share with the client in my report, turned off the burner and thoroughly checked over all resident kitties for injuries. Fortunately, I found no burned toe beans or scorched fur. Alejandro and his kitty siblings were all injury-free. There was no fire, and no injuries this time—but we might not always be so lucky.
Alejandro’s stove was red hot when I arrived for my morning visit!
The Risks
- Fire Hazard: A burner left on can easily ignite nearby flammable materials, potentially causing a house fire. Think about what might be sitting on your kitchen counter near the stove—kitty could have knocked something over onto the burner, like a roll of paper towels, a box of cereal, a dish towel, or any number of other items. These could catch fire and potentially burn down the house.
- Burn Hazard: Pets, especially curious cats that love to counter surf, can suffer severe burns if they step on a hot burner.
- Gas Hazard: If a gas burner is accidentally turned on without igniting, it can release gas into your home, creating a serious risk of gas poisoning or explosion.
Not Just When You’re Away
This isn’t just a concern for when you’re out of town. This kind of accident can happen while you’re at work, running errands, or even asleep. The consequences of a pet or child accidentally turning on a stove burner can be catastrophic.
Prevention is Key
Installing child proof and pet proof safety locks on your stove knobs is an easy and effective measure to prevent such accidents. These locks are simple to use and can save you from potential disasters. Here’s why we recommend them:
- Peace of Mind: Knowing your stove knobs are secure can relieve stress and allow you to enjoy your time away from home without worry. You can rest well at night knowing you have taken all safety measures to keep your family safe at home while they sleep.
- Protective Measure: These locks protect not only pets but also young children who might be curious about stove knobs.
- Avoid Catastrophes: A simple safety lock can prevent fires, gas leaks, and burns, keeping your home and loved ones safe.
These knob locks can be found at local stores that carry a variety of child safety locks, as well as online. Amazon even carries them. Just be sure to check that you get one made for the type of knobs you have.
Daily Pet Sitting Visits: A Safety Measure
At Home Run Pet Care, we require a minimum of one visit daily to check on your pets while you are away. Many people will ask why we don’t offer visits every other day for cats with auto feeders. Incidents like this and many other potential hazards are why we emphasize daily visits. Too many things can go wrong in your absence, and a daily check-in can catch potential hazards before they become serious problems. Our trained pet sitters ensure your pets are safe, your home is secure, and everything is in order. Safety first!
Conclusion
As Benjamin Franklin wisely said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” By taking simple steps like installing stove knob safety locks, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and keep your pets safe. Let us help you create a safer environment for your furry friends.
If you have any questions or need assistance with pet care, don’t hesitate to contact us at Home Run Pet Care. Your pets’ safety is our top priority!
0 Comments