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Protecting Your Home From Wildfire
A wildfire can be simply described as an unwanted fire that requires measures of control. Can a wildfire affect you? Take into consideration where your home is located. Is it near a woodland setting, rural area, or remote mountain site? If yes to any of those settings, you can reduce your risk by following these tips to help protect your family, home and property from wildfire.
The Construction of your Home
- Houses with wooden roofs are particularly vulnerable to flying embers. Use fire resistant roofing materials such as tile, composition shingles, metal, and copper.
- Screen all vent openings with _ inch or smaller non-corrosive metal mesh.
- Enclose area under raised decks to prevent embers from blowing underneath.
- Use dual pane or tempered glass windows with metal/aluminum frames.
The Maintenance of your Home
- If you can afford to do so, install smoke detectors and fire extinguishers throughout your home.
- Keep a garden hose that is long enough to reach the house and structures on the property.
- Ensure fire tools (for e.g. ladder, shovel, rake, axe, water bucket) are handy.
- Keep the roof and gutters free of leaves, branches, and other debris.
- Store valuable documents in a fire-resistive safe or an off-premise location.
Landscaping of your Home
- Remove all dead plants, trees, branches, and debris.
- Remove branches that extend over the roof or within 6 feet of the home.
- Maintain a minimum of 15 feet between tree crowns.
- Trim tree limbs to 15 feet off the ground.
- Mow grass regularly.
- Clear a 10-foot area around propane tanks or barbecue area.
- Separate shrubs by a distance of at least twice the height of the shrub. Keep shrubs thinned.
Easy Access
- Post your house address so that it is readily visible from the street.
- Clear driveways of flammable vegetation for 10 feet on both sides and free overhanging obstructions for a height of 15 feet.
Remember, the power is yours!
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