Emergency Plan

This Plan has been produced in recognition of the importance of operating effective contingencies for dealing with foreseeable emergencies such as fire, loss of power, loss of heat, extreme weather (hot and cold) and widespread disease outbreak. This plan will considers dealing with evacuation and shelter contingencies for dogs at Holmes for Paws Ltd, 87 Eider Avenue, Lyneham.

Fire Safety
Carbon Dioxide monitor and alarm is located in the kitchen. A Fire blanket is located in the kitchen. Smoke detectors are located in the hall and on the upstairs landing. Upon discovering a fire, the alarm will sound immediately.

All dogs will be put on a lead. Leads are kept in the cupboard under the stairs. We will wait with all dogs outside of Eider Avenue. If possible dogs will be placed in crates or in our transport van, which holds 3 dogs. Where possible the dogs will be temporarily transported to our emergency accommodation at Rosalie, Dauntsey.

The dogs will only be returned to the house when it is safe to do so. Dogs that can no longer be accommodated due to damage shall be transferred to another Licensed Dog Boarding establishment forthwith.

Fire drills are undertaken twice per year, one shall involve the removal of all dogs from the house.

Carbon Monoxide
There is a gas boiler providing heating and hot water located in the bathroom. A Carbon Monoxide detector is located in the kitchen and tested monthly. The gas boiler is serviced annually by a competent gas safe engineer.
Carbon Dioxide is a tasteless, colourless, odourless gas that is toxic. In the event that the Carbon Monoxide detector sounds, all personal shall quickly make their way out of the building opening windows and doors as they go. Call 999. Do not re-enter the building until you are told it is safe to do so, even to rescue a dog.

Loss of Power
Emergency torches are located in the hall next to the front door and in the front bedroom. The torches are tested monthly to ensure the batteries are working.
In the event of a power loss the power company will be called to ascertain when the power is likely to be returned. If the power is likely to be off for more than 24 hours then consideration to hiring a generator shall be made.

Loss of power in winter is likely to lead to loss of heating, so the loss of heating plan shall be followed. Alternatively, if the power cannot be restored via main or generator then arrangements to board the dogs in nearby Licensed boarding establishments will be made. Emergency contacts for all boarded animals shall be kept ‘on the cloud’ so they can be accessed remotely or on a ‘grab sheet’ in the kitchen.

Loss of Heating
In winter the loss of heating could be serious. Ensure all doors and windows are closed prevent any dogs entering the outside areas and to prevent the unnecessary loss of heat. See scenario for loss of power. Consider providing alternative heating arrangements such as gas heaters. Before gas or solid fuel appliances are used a thorough risk assessment will be performed considering fire, burns and potential for carbon monoxide poisoning. Only heaters approved for indoor use shall be used.

Alternatively, if the temperature cannot be safely maintained above 10°C arrangements to board the dogs in nearby Licensed boarding establishments will be made.

Extreme Weather Conditions
Heat: Fans are provided, and escape proof windows can be opened to help with the air flow. In the unlikely event that the temperature cannot be maintained below 26°C air conditioning units will be hired to lower the indoor temperatures. Dog walks will be limited to the coolest part of the day (early mornings & late evenings) and dogs will not be encouraged to be active when it is hot. Regular replenishment of cool drinking water will be undertaken. Wet cool towels will be provided for dogs to lie on and a padding pool will be provided in the shaded area of the garden.

Cold: If the current system cannot maintain the temperature above 10°C supplementary heating electric or gas heating will be provided. Before electric or gas appliances are used a through risk assessment will be performed considering fire, burns and potential for carbon monoxide poisoning. Only heaters approved for indoor use shall be used. Damage to buildings: In extreme weather the dogs shall be restricted to indoors only. In the event that the house is damaged (e.g. falling trees, roofs missing significant tiles or flat roof come away) arrangements to board dogs in nearby Licensed boarding establishments will be made if there is no longer sufficient suitable safe accommodation at [premises]. Efforts should be made to capture any dogs that have escaped, but only if safe for the staff to do so.

Loss of Water
In the event that there is a loss of water the utility company will be contacted to determine how long [premises] will remain without water. If it is to be no longer than 24 hours, then sufficient water bottles will be purchased from a local shop to ensure the dogs are supplied with fresh drinking water. Sufficient water for handwashing and spot cleaning should also be purchased. (Note sanitiser is not a suitable alternative to handwashing but can help to reduce the bacteria and viral loading on a person’s clean hands).

If the premises are to be without water for longer than 24 hours then it becomes difficult to deep clean, use washing machines and maintain hygiene standards. In this case dogs will be placed with other Licensed Dog Boarding premises until the water supply is re-established. When the water supply is re-established then the premises will be deep cleaned.