I don’t know about you, but there is no place I’d rather be than Northern California in September. We do, however, need to be prepared for Fire Season, and so my tips today hope to inspire you to make your home as safe as possible – naturally. Some of these will be obvious, however, some might give you the nudge you need to kick it into gear. Read on and do tell me if you have other tips!
Let’s start in the yard ~ preferably one morning a week now through December. Simply substitute an hour on the treadmill for an hour of yardwork, pruning dead leaves and branches off trees, bushes, flowers and vegetables. My guilty pleasure is to leave all the debris on the ground til the end, so I can gauge my progress, then sweep it all up and into the compost bin.
Pay special attention to any conifer trees (pines or firs). I like to prune them to waist height, since conifers contain highly flammable sap and can add to an already raging fire.
Choose fire-retardant plant species that resist ignition such as rockrose, ice plant and aloe. Select fire-resistant shrubs such as hedging roses, bush honeysuckles. Plant hardwood, maple, poplar and cherry trees that are less flammable than pine, fir and other conifers. To find fire resistant plants that grow well in Marin County, visit FireSafe Marin.
For those with a grass lawn, of course you’ll want to keep it adequately watered and cut short.
Clean your gutters. They collect debris that can ignite from flying embers from nearby fires.
Don’t store dry wood in the yard, and especially not near any structures or trees.
Check your smoke detectors. Change the batteries at least twice a year and test them once a month.
Check your fire extinguisher. If sparks are present, you can put them out right away.
Keep doorways, corridors, and egress paths clear and unobstructed.
Make sure electrical appliances and cords are in good condition and UL approved.
Do not overload electrical outlets. Use surge-protected multi-outlet power strips and extension cords when necessary. If you have kids, be sure to triple check their outlets!
If you smoke, be sure to put your butts out completely before tossing them.
Don’t use barbecue and fire pits if the weather is very dry. And do clear any debris and vegetation from around the grill.
Take photos of the inside and outside of your home and all insured valuables. Back up the images to the cloud.
Get your emergency kit ready. This will help in case you need to move quickly. Pack a small bag with clothes, medications, and anything else you may need. Have a phone list for every member of the house. Get packs ready for your kids and pets too. Plan where you’ll go especially if you have pets, as many shelters won’t allow them to stay with you. Plan ahead for an emergency by keeping phones charged and extra batteries handy.
Have a family meeting about fire risk, devise an evacuation plan, and determine the proximity of a fire in choosing to evacuate.
How to prevent an existing fire from damaging your home
As careful as we can be of our own fire precautions, there is always a threat of wildfire here in Marin. The following tips are handy to have in the back of your mind now, so you can feel empowered should your family home be in the path of a wildfire.
Make sure the water is on and the hose is hooked up. If you get a call to evacuate in the next few hours, you’ll want to be sure the water is turned on and the hose is not locked in a shed. It seems simple to think these are handy, but if fires are in your area, be sure!
If you have time and water pressure is not an issue, wet down the roof. Flying sparks and embers can grab hold of your roof easily. If it is wet, this will help to extinguish flying sparks.
Wet down outside structures and wooden home features. This includes doorways, window frames, decks, and porches. Don’t just spray over the top – wet them down thoroughly.
Put flammables, including lawnmower, trash and compost bins, far from the house and any vegetation. An explosion could occur from the gas if a fire would come in contact with it and you want to be as far from that as possible.
Of course, it goes without saying…if you’re in the path of a fire, get out! Your life is more valuable than your home. These precautions should be taken well in advance of an approaching fire.
These are just some of the ways to keep your home safe in case of a wildfire. Can you think of others?
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