If you live in California, you’re probably very well versed in fire safety. The last several years, the golden state has been ravaged by different fires, up and down the entire state. Many of us have created evacuation plans and know the importance of having important documents and mementos packed up and easily accessible, in the event of a natural disaster.
A key to fire safety is maintaining defensible space around your home. For residents that live in rural, forested zones, this is a suggested starter list of the steps you can take to decrease your fire risk.
Immediate Zone, nearest your home
- Clean your roof and gutters.
- Remove leaves, pine needles, and other dead materials..
- Cut down and remove trees and shrubs.
- Remove any flammable items from under decks.
- Clean out organic materials from under decks.
- Remove tree limbs within 10 feet of chimney cap, and all branches above the area.
- Fasten ½ inch screening to chimney caps.
- In addition to drought resistant plants in the areas nearest the home, consider installing concrete, stone, or gravel.
- Get rid of wood or plastic fence connections that connect directly to the house.
- Eliminate all tree limbs that measure less than 20 feet above the roof.
To learn more about suggested actions to keep your property fire-safe, visit The National Fire Protection Association at http://www.nfpa.org/