Donation to Evergreen Park Fire Department Purchases Pet Oxygen Masks

Evergreen Park pets now have an added level of safety thanks to a donation to the fire department. 

Invisible Fence has donated seven pet oxygen masks to the Evergreen Park and Alsip fire departments, according to an announcement from the village. 

“When a family suffers the tragedy of a fire, lives are turned upside down”, said EP Fire Chief Ron Kleinhaus in a prepared release. “Pets are valued family members, so we want families to know that their pet can be cared for if tragedy strikes. The “Project Breath” device gives the firefighters the tools necessary to save pets’ lives.”

The announcement states that while the exact number of household pets that perish in fires is not known, some sources cite that as many as 100,000 pets die in fires each year, with the majority of those deaths attributed to smoke inhalation.

“These masks are truly a blessing for us,” Kleinhaus said in the announcement. “We’ve seen residents run back into burning homes to save a pet. It’s understandable, but extremely dangerous. These masks will give residents comfort in knowing that we can save their pets if they are suffering from smoke inhalation.”