| It is essential that no matter where you live you | | | | home is clear of combustible material is also very |
| take care to protect your home and family from | | | | important for fire disaster prevention. Home and |
| fire. Homes in areas that experience high | | | | business owners should try to install electrical lines |
| temperatures and dry conditions are even more | | | | underground if possible. They should also notify |
| susceptible to fire dangers, especially during the | | | | the electric company if branches start to interfere |
| summer. There are a number of safety | | | | with power lines. Keep firewood and gas grills |
| measures you should consider as fire season is in | | | | away from any structure and combustible or |
| full force around the country to protect your | | | | flammable materials in approved safety |
| family and your personal property from the | | | | containers. Overhangs are high risk items for fire; |
| potential for fire damage. | | | | using the area under them for storage greatly |
| Advanced Planning | | | | increases that risk. Some property owners |
| The simplest and easiest way to prevent fire | | | | encase their overhang or porch stilts in |
| damage is to think ahead. Educate yourself on the | | | | non-combustible material such as brick, concrete, |
| high-risk areas around your home, the type of | | | | or metal to reduce the risk of fire damage. |
| vegetation surrounding it, and how fire-resistant | | | | Home Materials |
| your land may or may not be. If you live in a | | | | Wire mesh added to air vents and chimneys will |
| wooded area, know the history of wildfire in your | | | | help prevent embers and flaming debris from |
| area. Is there a history of drought during the | | | | entering a building. Fire-resistant siding, such as |
| summer? Have there been fires near your | | | | stucco, metal, or brick helps a home resist |
| property in the past? | | | | catching fire if flames get too close. Dual- or |
| Evacuation | | | | triple-pane thermal glass helps reduce the risk of |
| Homes in areas at high risk for wildfires should | | | | heat passing through your windows and igniting |
| have a proper emergency evacuation plan - this | | | | materials inside your home. |
| may be the surest way to protect your family. | | | | The roof is the most vulnerable part of your |
| Plan several escape routes in case a fire blocks | | | | home during a fire. Wood, shake, and shingle roofs |
| main roads and have emergency kit materials | | | | are particularly risky. It is best to stick with |
| ready to go at a moments notice. | | | | fiberglass, slate, metal, clay, or concrete tile. |
| Safety Zone | | | | Proper disaster preparation could mean the |
| Creating a safety zone around your house and | | | | difference between losing everything - property, |
| property can help reduce the amount of damage | | | | possessions, lives - and salvaging your home and |
| done to your home by flames. Minimizing the | | | | everything you hold dear. Take the time to learn |
| amount of vegetation within thirty feet of your | | | | the fire history of your area and implement |
| home will lessen the risk of fire damage to your | | | | proper fire damage prevention measures in order |
| possessions. It is recommended that trees and | | | | to drastically reduce the risk of damage and the |
| shrubbery be pruned to fifteen feet of fireplaces, | | | | need to restore your home, documents and |
| stoves, and chimneys. Brick walls, stone patios, | | | | important materials completely. Contact your local |
| and swimming pools can also act as barriers | | | | fire department and find out what they |
| against flames. | | | | recommend for fire protection if you have any |
| Making sure the area immediately around your | | | | questions about your particular area. |