Unleashing Safety: Protecting Pets with Professional Monitoring
Smart Security for Furry Family Members Can Help Keep Pets Safe
Pets aren’t just animals – they’re part of the pack. Whether they’re cuddly companions, mischievous explorers or the kings and queens of the couch, they bring joy and love to millions of homes. With 82 million U.S. households having a pet as part of the family, ensuring their safety should be a purr-iority. Research shows that pet ownership provides numerous benefits, making it essential to take necessary precautions to keep animals safe.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), nearly 1,000 house fires each year are unintentionally started by pets. Having a professionally installed and monitored life-safety system can help protect pets and loved ones in the event of a house fire.
Preventing Fire Hazards and Ensuring Pet Safety
Professionally monitored security systems can alert authorities and homeowners to intruders, fire or carbon monoxide on the premises – critical protection whether the home is occupied or not. For pets, a monitored system is especially important, as they are unable to escape or call for help when left alone. In the event of a fire, a professionally monitored security system provides 24/7 protection, ensuring that emergency response teams are dispatched.
Since pets cannot dial 911, the following safety tips can help prevent accidental house fires caused by pets:
- Secure young pets. Confine them to crates or behind baby gates in safe areas away from potential fire hazards when left unattended.
- Keep stoves and countertops clear. Curious pets can accidentally turn on or knock over cooking equipment, increasing the risk of fire.
- Extinguish open flames. Battery-operated flameless candles are a safer alternative to traditional candles.
- Include pets in evacuation plans. Never re-enter a burning building for a pet. Firefighters should be informed if an animal is trapped inside. View additional family emergency escape plan tips here.
- Prepare an emergency kit. Include a leash, necessary medications, vet documents, food and a recent photo and description of the pet.
How a Professionally Monitored System Enhances Safety
Smoke alarms provide an early warning in case of fire, allowing time to escape to safety. However, the NFPA found that between 2018 to 2022, nearly three out of five (59 percent) home fire deaths were caused by fires in properties with no smoke alarms (43 percent) or smoke alarms that failed to operate (16 percent).
“Life safety is the most important part of what we do,” said Brian Azzarella of Doyle Security in Rochester, N.Y. “Intrusion protection is great but knowing that a product I installed could save a life – whether a person or a pet – is an incredible feeling. I’ve had customers write letters thanking us because our monitored CO detectors alerted them to a real leak, potentially saving their lives.”
Brian Azzarella, Doyle Security
While legislation varies by state, most require either battery-powered or AC-powered smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. The NFPA recommends checking batteries every six months. A professionally monitored system enhances protection by detecting smoke and CO, alerting the central monitoring station, and ensuring emergency response teams are notified – whether occupants are home, asleep or away. Additionally, the connected security systemcan provide alerts when a smoke or CO detector has a low battery.
Jax and Brian
Additional Benefits for Homes with Pets
Beyond life-safety benefits, a professionally installed and monitored system provides additional value for pet owners. Cameras can be added to the system, allowing real-time monitoring of pets.
The First Alert Indoor Camera features artificial intelligence to enhance home security and convenience. It features advanced event detection capable of identifying people, pets and vehicles, ensuring accurate alerts. The camera also offers two-way talk functionality, allowing homeowners to remotely check in on their pets and communicate with them in real time.
Azzarella knows firsthand the value of monitoring technology, and he owes his dog’s life to the First Alert Video Doorbell. “I just happened to be showing a customer my doorbell on the Total Connect app when I received an alert that my dog, Jax, had gotten out during brutally cold temperatures. The snow was so high in the backyard that he was able to jump the fence. Thankfully, my daughter was home and brought him inside. The timing couldn’t have been better – it really demonstrated the power of smart security. The customer had a dog as well and loved the idea that the doorbell camera detected movement and alerted me.”
With Resideo’s Total Connect® 2.0 app, users can stay connected anytime, anywhere, through a mobile device. The two-way voice feature of Total Connect cameras allows homeowners to see, hear and communicate with pets or pet sitters remotely. Interior and exterior cameras provide 24/7/365 monitoring, ensuring pets always remain safe and secure.
Azzarella now uses his own experience to illustrate the benefits of smart security. “Now that I have a dog, I lead with this example whenever a customer is interested in video. Even if they aren’t asking about video, I bring it up – it’s a great story, and who doesn’t love a happy ending where a pet gets saved?”
Awareness for Every Pet Owner
For pet owners, a security system is more than just an investment – it’s a commitment to keeping their furry family members safe. “Jax means the world to our family. I was against getting a dog at first due to allergies, but we adopted him, and now he’s my best friend. We would have been devastated if he had gotten lost,” says Azzarella. “The First Alert doorbell camera helped prevent what could have been a heartbreaking situation.”
Combining professional monitoring with mobile control offers homeowners confidence that both their loved ones and their pets are always safe and secure.
Learn more at Resideo.com or to find a local, professional security dealer.
