How to Prepare Your Home for Fire Season
As the leaves start to change color and the weather begins to cool down, it’s important to start thinking about preparing your home for fire season. Wildfires are a real threat in northern california and especially here in Sonoma County. Taking steps to make sure your home is as safe as possible can help give you peace of mind as the dry season progresses and the winds pick up. Here are some tips on what to do—and what not to do—to get your home ready for fire and fall season.
Things To Avoid During Fire Season
In addition to taking steps to prepare your home for fire season, there are also some things you should avoid doing during this time of year. First, resist the urge to burn leaves or any other yard waste—even if your town or city permits it. Not only is this bad for air quality, but it also increases the risk of wildfires starting accidentally. If you must burn yard waste, do so only on days when there’s no wind and be sure to soak the area with water when you’re finished.
You should also avoid using power equipment like lawn mowers and weed trimmers near dry grass—the sparks produced by these devices can easily start a fire that quickly gets out of control. If you need to use power equipment outdoors, make sure the area around you is clear of debris first. And finally, never throw cigarette butts out of your car window—they’re one of the leading causes of wildfires!
Tips for Preparing Your Home
When it comes to protecting your valuables, a homeowners house is on the top of the list. Follow these easy tips on how to protect one of the largest investments from a wildfire and property damage.
Defensive Landscaping
One of the most important things you can do to prepare your home for fire season is to create defensible space. This means clearing vegetation and combustible materials (such as woodpiles) at least 30 feet away from your house on all sides. Doing this gives firefighters a clear area to work in and makes it more difficult for fires to spread to your home. It’s also a good idea to trim trees and bushes so that they’re at least 10 feet away from your rooftop.
Is Your House Fire-Resistant
In addition to creating defensible space, it’s also important to make sure your house is constructed with fire-resistant materials. If you’re not sure whether your home meets current standards, it’s a good idea to have it inspected by a qualified contractor. Here in Santa Rosa,we live in an area that’s particularly prone to wildfires. Another thing to consider is installing shutters or using other methods to seal off openings in your home so that embers and smoke can’t get inside.
Have An Evacuation Plan
Finally, it’s important to have an evacuation plan in place in case of an wildfire emergency. Make sure everyone in your family knows how to get out of the house quickly and safely, and identify an area where everyone will meet up if you’re forced to evacuate. It’s also a good idea to put together an emergency kit with essential items like clothes, medications, and copies of important documents so that you can grab it and go if you need to leave in a hurry.
What To Do If You Experience Property Damage
Fires can happen at anytime of the year but for Santa Rosa residents we are more aware of the burden of wildfires. Which means now is the time to start preparing your home against the risk of wildfire damage. By taking some simple precautionary measures—like creating defensible space and having an evacuation plan—you can help keep your family safe if a fire does occur in your area. So don’t wait—start preparing today!
