Warning of increased house fires caused by pets

A study by Japan’s National Institute of Research and Evaluation (NITE) found that pet-related house fires were rare before 2014. But the number is rising rapidly today, thanks to more people keeping pets and the popularity of push-button gas stoves. According to the study, 61 house fires in the past decade were caused by pets accidentally starting fires.

Nowadays, many people use new generation push button gas stoves because of the convenience of adjusting the temperature. However, experts warn that animals often get curious and play with the ignition button on gas stoves, causing fires.

Gas appliance company Paloma Co (Japan) participated in the NITE study and said that about 90% of all house fires started from gas stoves, the rest were caused by pets chewing on electrical wires or defecating on exposed electrical sources.

A researcher at NITE told the Mainichi newspaper that curious cats are the main culprits in starting fires by touching the ignition buttons of stoves or knocking over objects around them, while dogs tend to start fires by standing on their hind legs and pressing the ignition button.

NITE has urged pet owners to take the following measures: when leaving pets at home, turn off the main valve of the gas stove or turn off the main power to induction and electric stoves; find ways to prevent animals from entering the kitchen or other places where they could cause a fire; confine pets in cages when not at home.

Minh Hoa (t/h)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/nhat-ban-canh-bao-gia-tang-cac-vu-chay-nha-do-vat-nuoi-gay-ra-a656664.html