Pets need to breathe too

If you've been reading this blog long, you know that we love quirky new preparedness items. Well, this one will have you running down to your local fire station (or staying indoors and going to petmask.com) in search of one of the only preparedness items man's best friend needs, a pet mask.

Monica Plumb, a determined 12-year-old, conducted research and raised some money to get the five firetrucks in her county specially-designed oxygen masks for pets.

"I hope at some point, every fire department has these kits," said Monica in an article posted by USA Today.

Experts estimate from 40,000 to more than 100,000 animals die each year, most from inhaling poisonous gases. Of course, firefighters will often go the extra mile and perform nose-to-mouth breathing or use human oxygen masks. But, this new mask - created especially for pets - works the best.

Until the masks make their way down here, check out the American Red Cross dog first aid safety series.