Protecting Yourself From Wildfires - The Basics

If you live in an area commonly threatened by wildfires

, you probably know it.

However, forest fires can threaten any structure in or near the woods, including many subdivisions.

Most fires are caused by lightning or accident, especially in areas experienced hot and dry summers that leave vegetation vulnerable to combustion.

Make sure you or your family do not inadvertantly cause a fire. Obey local fire regulations. Cook only in pits provided in a park. If you build a fire while camping or hiking, make sure you've removed all flammable materials at least three feet away from the fire. Have water and dirt ready to throw on it.

At home, make sure you could put out a fire in your barbecue pit if necessary.

Keep your lawn or land as clear as possible of leaves, brush, cut grass, dead leaves, sticks and other flammable materials.

Isolate your house from bushes and trees. Keep trees and tree branches away from the house, so fire can't spread from the vegetation to your house.

Stack firewood far away from your house.

Check with a local nursery about the kinds of local trees and bushes that resist fire.

Keep a clear path for firefighters to any source of water, such as ponds and swimming pools.

If you store flammable materials such as gasoline, turpentine or propane, keep it at least thirty feet or more from your house.

If you have to evacuate, turn off the natural gas and shut down the electricity to your house. Turn off any propane tanks.

Hook up garden hoses and sprinklers. Use them to wet down your house and lawn as much as possible.

You should keep one 72 hour emergency preparedness kit in you car for every family member. Plus, have your car in good shape and equipped with flashlights and a first aid kit. And bottles of water.

Wildfires can spread fast, so don't wait until the last minute. When the local authorities advise evacuation, evacuate.

Before an emergency strikes, have your valuables and personal belongings in a safe place away from your house. Have your important computer files backed up to Amazon's S3 or similar storage site. Have your money, credit and debt cards convenient to grab and go.

Have a plan about where to go, and make certain out of town friends and family know where that is.

by: Richard Stooker

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