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Wildfire
Safety Tips
Protecting Your Home
- Use fire-resistant or non-combustible materials
on roof and exterior structure of your dwelling or treat
wood or combustible material used in roofs, siding, decking
or trim with UL-approved fire-retardant materials.
- Regularly clean roofs and gutters of pine
needles, leaves or other debris.
- Inspect chimneys at least twice a year. Clean
them once a year. Keep dampers in working order. Equip chimneys
and stove pipes with a spark arrester.
- Use _ inch mesh screen beneath porches, decks,
floor areas and the home. Also screen openings to floors,
roof and attic.
- Enclose undersides of balconies and above-ground
decks with fire resistant materials.
- Keep a ladder that will reach the roof and
garden hose that will reach around your home.
- Consider installing protective shudders or
heavy fire-resistant drapes.
- Place stove, fireplace and grill ashes in
a metal bucket, soak in water for two days, then bury the
cold ashes in mineral soil.
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- Regularly dispose of newspapers and rubbish
at an approved site.
- Store gasoline, oily rags and other flammable
materials in approved safety cans. Place cans in a safe
location away from the base of your home or garage
- Clear a 10-foot area around propane tanks
and barbeque grills. Place a screen over the grill-use non-flammable
material with mesh no coarser than _ inch.
- Stack firewood at least 30-100 feet away
and uphill from your home.
- Use only UL-approved woodburning devices.
- Keep household tools that can be used as
fire tools handy: rake, ax, hand saw or chain saw, bucket
and shovel.
- Create a defensible zone at least 30 to 100
feet away from your home. Remove dry grass, brush and dead
leaves. If your home sits on a steep slope, the more open
space you’ll need to protect your home.
When Wildfire Threatens
- If you are warned that a wildfire is threatening
your neighborhood, listen to your radio for reports and
evacuation information. Follow the instructions of local
officials.
- Back your car into garage or park it in driveway
facing the street. Shut doors and roll up windows. Leave
key in ignition. Close garage windows and doors, but leave
them unlocked. Disconnect automatic garage door openers.
- Confine pets to one room. Make plans to care
for your pet in case you must evacuate.
- Arrange temporary housing outside the threatened
area.
- If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
- Wear protective clothing and take your emergency
supplies kit.
- Lock your home.
- Tell someone you when you left and where
you are going.
- Choose a route away from fire hazards. Be
aware of changes in the speed and direction of fire and
smoke.
For more information, go to: www.firesafecouncil.com,
www.fema.gov,
www.fire.ca.gov
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