How to Keep Pets Safe Around Space Heaters and Fireplaces

Space heaters are responsible for an average of 1,700 home fires, approximately 70 deaths and 160 injuries every year, while fireplaces account for nearly 16,000 fires that result in 20 deaths and 50 injuries every year. Not just a fire risk, home heating equipment can also cause injuries through carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. While there aren’t statistics specifically about pets, we know that space heaters and fireplaces can cause burns, a fire if your curious dog or cat knocks something over, or even smoke that is dangerous for you and your pet to inhale.

If you have one of these heating devices in your home, you may wonder how to keep your pets safe around a space heater or fireplace. Read our top tips below for keeping your dog or cat — and your home — safe this winter.

Train Your Pet to Stay Away from the Space Heater or Fireplace

Many of our furry family members love to snuggle up near the warmth, so despite what we might think — or hope — your dog or cat may not instinctively know to stay away from the heat source. Train your pet to go to his place (like the heated pet beds below), or put up a safety gate to restrict your pet's access to the room containing the heater or fireplace.

Offer a Heated Pet Bed

Giving your pet her very own heated bed in a “safe zone” is a great way to encourage her to stay away from a heater or fireplace. Be sure to find one certified to be safe, like a K&H heated bed. All K&H heated beds are tested and MET-certified to meet electrical safety standards.

The K&H Thermo-Kitty Cat Tunnel Bed is a fan favorite of cats that like to really snuggle in. And it’s ideal for a multi-cat family thanks to two entrances to the donut tunnel plus a cozy top that acts as an additional bed.

The K&H Thermo-Pet Lounge Sleeper Heated Cat & Dog Bed is another heated pet product to help keep your cat or dog warm when the temperature drops. The removable heating pad is thermostatically controlled to warm to your pet's normal body temperature — only when your pet is lying in it — eliminating the risk of the bed getting too hot and burning your pet.

While human heating pads can get too hot and injure your pet, the K&H Thermo-Kitty Mat is a simpler option with the same type of safe temperature control. This reversible heated mat goes anywhere your cat does – on the couch, on top of an unheated cat bed, or in a cozy nook in the corner of your home office.

To ensure the bed is safe every season, regularly check your pet's heated bed to make sure there are no tears or worn spots, that the electrical cord is still intact, and that the heating element is tucked safely into the bed. And if it's a new purchase, it's a good idea to test your pet's bed and understand how it works before using it.

Use a Fireplace Screen

A fireplace screen is typically made of metal (like wrought iron, brass, or copper) or glass, though some are made of mesh. A fireplace screen goes either directly in front of the fireplace or sits flush against the face of the fireplace, acting as a barrier. This not only prevents your pet from sticking his nose where it shouldn’t be but also stops embers from popping out into your home.

Watch Your Pet When They Are Near a Space Heater or Fireplace

Even if your dog or cat has her own bed and/or you put up a gate or screen, it’s important to keep an eye on your pet when she's in the room with the space heater or fireplace. You never know when curiosity might get the best of her, so a watchful eye can help prevent injury.

When purchasing a portable heater, be sure it's MET or UL safety tested. And look for one with pet-friendly features, such as an automatic shut-off if it's knocked over or a convection heater that uses air currents to spread warm air around the room.

Keep the Space Around Space Heaters and Fireplaces Clear

Fabric, bedding, and toys can be flammable, so keep all flammable items at least three feet away from heating equipment to avoid fire. If there is no reason for your pet to be near the fireplace (i.e., no comfy bed or fun toys), he's less likely to become accustomed to sleeping or hanging out there. Keep the space clear year-round, even in the summer, so that your dog or cat doesn’t ever think it’s okay to get too close.

Never Leave the Space Heater on or Fire Burning When You Aren’t Home

Always turn off the space heater and ensure the fire is completely out before you leave your house. That’s just good practice for avoiding a fire in general, but it also helps protect your pet when you aren’t around to keep an eye on him.

There’s nothing more relaxing on a cold winter night than cozying up by a crackling fire or the radiant warmth of a heater, but it’s important to keep your family safe, too. In addition to the tips above, don’t forget to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home and inside each bedroom. Test your alarms monthly and replace batteries twice per year. (Tip: Use the time change as your reminder!)