A recent incident in Tulsa, Oklahoma, highlighted the potential dangers of household pets when a dog accidentally caused a house fire. The event was captured on an indoor monitoring camera, which showed the moment the dog began chewing on a portable lithium-ion battery power bank. Shortly after the dog started its destructive behavior, a spark ignited, leading to a fire that rapidly spread throughout the living room. This alarming footage serves as a reminder of the risks associated with certain electronic devices in homes with pets.

According to Andy Little, a public information officer with the Tulsa Fire Department, the two dogs and a cat present in the house managed to escape through a dog door. Fortunately, the family members were also evacuated safely from the premises. Little emphasized the importance of the dog door, suggesting that without it, the pets might not have survived the incident. This highlights the critical role that pet-friendly features can play in ensuring the safety of animals during emergencies.

The fire incident has drawn attention to the potential hazards posed by lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly found in many portable electronic devices. These batteries can be particularly dangerous when damaged or improperly handled, as they may ignite and cause fires. Pet owners should be aware of the risks associated with leaving such devices within reach of curious animals, as they may not understand the consequences of their actions.

In the aftermath of the fire, local media reported on the family’s fortunate escape and the quick response of the fire department. The incident serves as a cautionary tale for pet owners, reminding them to take precautions to prevent similar situations. This includes securing electronic devices and ensuring that pets cannot access potentially dangerous items in the home.

Overall, this incident underscores the need for pet owners to remain vigilant about the safety of their animals and their living environments. By taking proactive measures to mitigate risks, such as securing hazardous items and providing safe escape routes, pet owners can help protect their beloved companions from unforeseen dangers.

Original news source: Moment dog sparks house fire after chewing power bank (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– CHARADES
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Each group will take turns acting out key phrases or concepts from the article (e.g., “dog door,” “house fire,” “lithium-ion battery”). The other groups will guess what they are acting out. This will help reinforce understanding of vocabulary and concepts from the article.

– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Pose a question related to the article, such as “Do you think pet owners should keep electronic devices out of reach of pets?” Students will walk around the classroom, asking their classmates for their opinions and tallying responses. After collecting data, students will discuss the varying opinions and the reasons behind them.

– ARTICLE TIMELINE
Instructions: Provide students with key events from the article (e.g., dog chewing on battery, spark igniting, pets escaping). In pairs, they will arrange the events in chronological order. This will help them practice sequencing events and understanding the flow of the narrative.

– HEADLINE CREATION
Instructions: Ask students to create a catchy headline for the article that captures the main idea and grabs attention. They should then share their headlines with the class and discuss why they chose those words and phrases, enhancing their creative writing skills and understanding of summarizing content.

– THINK-PAIR-SHARE
Instructions: Pose a thought-provoking question related to the article, such as “What precautions can pet owners take to prevent similar incidents?” Students will think about their answers individually, discuss their thoughts with a partner, and then share their conclusions with the class. This encourages critical thinking and collaborative discussion.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What event triggered the house fire in Tulsa, Oklahoma?
2. How did the family and pets manage to escape from the house during the fire?
3. What role did the dog door play in the survival of the pets during the incident?
4. What are some potential hazards associated with lithium-ion batteries mentioned in the article?
5. Why should pet owners be cautious about leaving electronic devices within reach of their pets?
6. What actions can pet owners take to prevent similar fire incidents in their homes?
7. How did local media respond to the fire incident involving the family and their pets?
8. What overall message does the article convey regarding pet safety and household hazards?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

A recent incident in Tulsa, Oklahoma, highlighted the potential dangers of household pets when a dog accidentally caused a house fire. The event was captured on an (1)______ monitoring camera, which showed the moment the dog began chewing on a portable lithium-ion (2)______ power bank. Shortly after the dog started its destructive behavior, a spark ignited, leading to a fire that rapidly spread throughout the living room. This (3)______ footage serves as a reminder of the (4)______ associated with certain electronic devices in homes with pets.

According to Andy Little, a (5)______ information officer with the Tulsa Fire Department, the two dogs and a cat present in the house managed to escape through a dog door. Fortunately, the family members were also (6)______ safely from the premises. Little emphasized the importance of the dog door, suggesting that without it, the pets might not have survived the incident. This highlights the critical role that pet-friendly features can play in ensuring the safety of animals during (7)______.

The fire incident has drawn (8)______ to the potential hazards posed by lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly found in many portable electronic devices. These batteries can be particularly dangerous when damaged or improperly handled, as they may ignite and cause fires. Pet owners should be aware of the risks associated with (9)______ such devices within (10)______ of (11)______ animals, as they may not understand the consequences of their actions.

In the aftermath of the fire, local media reported on the family’s fortunate escape and the quick (12)______ of the fire department. The incident serves as a cautionary tale for pet (13)______, reminding them to take precautions to prevent similar situations. This includes (14)______ electronic devices and (15)______ that pets cannot access potentially dangerous (16)______ in the home.

Overall, this incident underscores the need for pet owners to remain vigilant about the safety of their animals and their living environments. By taking proactive measures to mitigate risks, such as securing hazardous items and providing safe escape routes, pet owners can help protect their beloved companions from unforeseen dangers.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is your opinion on the safety measures pet owners should take to protect their animals from household hazards?

2. How would you feel if your pet accidentally caused a fire in your home?

3. Do you think it is necessary to have pet-friendly features, like a dog door, in every household with pets? Why or why not?

4. What is a common household item that you believe poses a danger to pets, and why do you think so?

5. Have you ever had a close call with a household hazard and your pet? If so, what happened?

6. Do you like the idea of using monitoring cameras in your home to keep an eye on your pets? Why or why not?

7. How would you handle a situation where your pet was in danger due to a household hazard?

8. Do you think pet owners are generally aware of the risks associated with electronic devices in their homes? Why or why not?

9. What is a precautionary measure you believe pet owners should take when it comes to managing their pets and household items?

10. How do you think pets can be trained to avoid dangerous items in the home?

11. Do you think the benefits of having pets outweigh the potential risks they pose in a household? Why or why not?

12. What is a responsibility that you believe pet owners often overlook when it comes to keeping their pets safe?

13. How would you feel if you had to choose between having pets and ensuring a completely hazard-free home?

14. Do you think there should be more public awareness campaigns about the dangers of household items to pets? Why or why not?

15. What is a lesson you think pet owners can learn from incidents like the one in Tulsa?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. incident
2. potential
3. monitoring
4. ignited
5. premises
6. emphasized
7. hazards
8. improperly
9. aftermath
10. response
11. cautionary
12. precautions
13. mitigate
14. unforeseen
15. vigilant

Meanings:
(A) Observing or checking something over a period of time
(B) The consequences or aftereffects of a significant event
(C) In a manner that is not correct or suitable
(D) Possible or capable of becoming real
(E) A building and the area of land it is on
(F) To make something less severe or serious
(G) Caught fire or started burning
(H) Not anticipated or predicted
(I) Actions taken in advance to prevent something dangerous or unpleasant
(J) An event or occurrence, especially one that is significant or noteworthy
(K) A reaction to something that has happened
(L) Keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties
(M) Potential sources of danger or harm
(N) Serving as a warning or lesson
(O) Gave special importance or prominence to something
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What caused the house fire in Tulsa, Oklahoma?
(a) A faulty electrical outlet
(b) A dog chewing on a lithium-ion battery power bank
(c) A candle left unattended
(d) A gas leak

2. How did the pets manage to escape the fire?
(a) They were carried out by family members
(b) They broke a window
(c) They ran out the front door
(d) Through a dog door

3. What type of battery was involved in the fire incident?
(a) Alkaline battery
(b) Nickel-cadmium battery
(c) Lithium-ion battery
(d) Lead-acid battery

4. What did Andy Little emphasize about the dog door?
(a) It was crucial for the pets’ survival
(b) It should be replaced with a cat door
(c) It was not necessary for safety
(d) It was too small for the dogs

5. What is a key precaution for pet owners mentioned in the article?
(a) Securing electronic devices
(b) Keeping pets outside
(c) Using only rechargeable batteries
(d) Installing security cameras

6. What role did the indoor monitoring camera play in the incident?
(a) It helped evacuate the pets
(b) It captured the moment the fire started
(c) It alerted the fire department
(d) It recorded the family’s escape

7. What does the article suggest about the risks of lithium-ion batteries?
(a) They are completely safe around pets
(b) They are only dangerous when charged
(c) They should be used more frequently
(d) They can ignite and cause fires if damaged

8. What overall message does the incident convey to pet owners?
(a) To avoid having pets in the house
(b) To use more electronic devices
(c) To remain vigilant about their pets’ safety
(d) To train pets to avoid certain areas

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The incident was not recorded by an indoor monitoring camera.
2. The family members were not evacuated safely from the house during the incident.
3. The fire started after a spark ignited from the damaged battery.
4. A dog in Tulsa, Oklahoma, accidentally caused a house fire by chewing on a lithium-ion battery power bank.
5. Lithium-ion batteries cannot pose significant hazards, especially when damaged or improperly handled.
6. Andy Little, a public information officer with the Tulsa Fire Department, highlighted the importance of the dog door for the pets’ survival.
7. Pet owners are advised to secure electronic devices and prevent pets from accessing potentially dangerous items in their homes.
8. The two cats and a dog in the house were unable to escape through a dog door.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What specific actions did the dog take that led to the house fire in Tulsa?
2. How did the presence of a dog door contribute to the safety of the pets during the fire incident?
3. What are some precautions pet owners can take to prevent accidents involving lithium-ion batteries?
4. In what ways does the article emphasize the importance of pet-friendly features in homes?
5. What lessons can pet owners learn from the Tulsa fire incident regarding the safety of their pets and living environments?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What event triggered the house fire in Tulsa, Oklahoma?
The house fire was triggered when a dog began chewing on a portable lithium-ion battery power bank, which sparked and ignited a fire.

2. How did the family and pets manage to escape from the house during the fire?
The family and pets managed to escape through a dog door.

3. What role did the dog door play in the survival of the pets during the incident?
The dog door allowed the pets to escape the house safely, and without it, they might not have survived the incident.

4. What are some potential hazards associated with lithium-ion batteries mentioned in the article?
Lithium-ion batteries can be dangerous when damaged or improperly handled, as they may ignite and cause fires.

5. Why should pet owners be cautious about leaving electronic devices within reach of their pets?
Pet owners should be cautious because curious animals may not understand the consequences of their actions and could accidentally damage devices, leading to dangerous situations like fires.

6. What actions can pet owners take to prevent similar fire incidents in their homes?
Pet owners can secure electronic devices and ensure that pets cannot access potentially dangerous items in the home.

7. How did local media respond to the fire incident involving the family and their pets?
Local media reported on the family’s fortunate escape and the quick response of the fire department.

8. What overall message does the article convey regarding pet safety and household hazards?
The article conveys the message that pet owners need to remain vigilant about the safety of their animals and their living environments by taking proactive measures to mitigate risks.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) indoor
(2) battery
(3) alarming
(4) risks
(5) public
(6) evacuated
(7) emergencies
(8) attention
(9) leaving
(10) reach
(11) curious
(12) response
(13) owners
(14) securing
(15) ensuring
(16) items
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. incident
Answer: (J) An event or occurrence, especially one that is significant or noteworthy

2. potential
Answer: (D) Possible or capable of becoming real

3. monitoring
Answer: (A) Observing or checking something over a period of time

4. ignited
Answer: (G) Caught fire or started burning

5. premises
Answer: (E) A building and the area of land it is on

6. emphasized
Answer: (O) Gave special importance or prominence to something

7. hazards
Answer: (M) Potential sources of danger or harm

8. improperly
Answer: (C) In a manner that is not correct or suitable

9. aftermath
Answer: (B) The consequences or aftereffects of a significant event

10. response
Answer: (K) A reaction to something that has happened

11. cautionary
Answer: (N) Serving as a warning or lesson

12. precautions
Answer: (I) Actions taken in advance to prevent something dangerous or unpleasant

13. mitigate
Answer: (F) To make something less severe or serious

14. unforeseen
Answer: (H) Not anticipated or predicted

15. vigilant
Answer: (L) Keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What caused the house fire in Tulsa, Oklahoma?
Answer: (b) A dog chewing on a lithium-ion battery power bank

2. How did the pets manage to escape the fire?
Answer: (d) Through a dog door

3. What type of battery was involved in the fire incident?
Answer: (c) Lithium-ion battery

4. What did Andy Little emphasize about the dog door?
Answer: (a) It was crucial for the pets’ survival

5. What is a key precaution for pet owners mentioned in the article?
Answer: (a) Securing electronic devices

6. What role did the indoor monitoring camera play in the incident?
Answer: (b) It captured the moment the fire started

7. What does the article suggest about the risks of lithium-ion batteries?
Answer: (d) They can ignite and cause fires if damaged

8. What overall message does the incident convey to pet owners?
Answer: (c) To remain vigilant about their pets’ safety
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The incident was not recorded by an indoor monitoring camera. (Answer: False)
2. The family members were not evacuated safely from the house during the incident. (Answer: False)
3. The fire started after a spark ignited from the damaged battery. (Answer: True)
4. A dog in Tulsa, Oklahoma, accidentally caused a house fire by chewing on a lithium-ion battery power bank. (Answer: True)
5. Lithium-ion batteries cannot pose significant hazards, especially when damaged or improperly handled. (Answer: False)
6. Andy Little, a public information officer with the Tulsa Fire Department, highlighted the importance of the dog door for the pets’ survival. (Answer: True)
7. Pet owners are advised to secure electronic devices and prevent pets from accessing potentially dangerous items in their homes. (Answer: True)
8. The two cats and a dog in the house were unable to escape through a dog door. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧