Multiple animals were rescued from a fire that the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) said was caused by a heat lamp used on reptile enclosures. CSFD said fire crews responded on Tuesday, Dec. 16 after a neighbor called to report the fire alarms going off in the house next to them. Crews arrived and found a small fire from a heat lamp used on reptile enclosures.
Crews quickly moved four cats and a few snakes to a safe location while they extinguished the fire and aired the smoke from the room. All animals were brought out safely and CSFD said crews were able to keep the fire isolated to the area of the snake tanks.
Heat lamp safety is imperative to keep your home and your reptiles safe. There are multiple kinds of heat lamps made for reptiles, and some are better suited for glass versus PVC tanks, so education and fire safety are imperative for reptile owners.
Heat lamps should never be placed inside a tank as it carries a risk of harming your slithery friends. Most heat lamps come with safety precaution instructions, so as boring as they may be, reading the instructions and following all manufacturer guidelines is key to keeping your scaley babies safe.
