How To Prepare Your Home in Case of a Wildfire| Billy.com

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), every year since 1983, the United States has seen 70,000 wildfires, and the areas of damage increase each year. This doesn’t mean we need to live in fear. However, when living in or near areas prone to wildfires, it’s wise to prepare in case the unthinkable does happen. You can’t stop all wildfires, but you can do everything possible to protect your home from their effects. In this article, we’ll discuss how to prepare your home in case of a wildfire.

Remove Flammable Objects

It is impossible to avoid having any flammable items at your home or on your land. Still, you can take some simple steps to move them as far away from your home as possible. Here’s a list of common household items that are flammable and can cause significant damage during a fire:

• Lawnmower
• Gas cans
• Oil
• Woodpiles
• Propane tank
• Snowblower

Storing the above items at least 30 feet from the house helps protect your home during a wildfire.

Other flammable objects can remain near your home until you receive a warning about a nearby wildfire. At that point, move these items further away:

• Lawn furniture
• Yard toys
• Outdoor decor made of flammable materials

Trim Your Trees

There are several types of fire suppression systems that firefighters use to protect people, homes, and forests when a wildfire is active. Still, there are little things you can do to help their efforts even further. One other thing you can do throughout the year to help control the spread of wildfires near your home is trim your tree branches so that they aren’t dangling over your roof.

Tree branches should be 10 feet from your chimney, roof, and house. Also, any tree limb should be at least 10 feet above the ground so that it doesn’t become what’s known as ladder fuel.

Maintain Moisture

Dry grass and foliage are fuel for a fire. Check your lawn often and water your property’s landscaping to moisten it.

Mesh Screens

Most deck material is flammable, and embers easily ignite these structures. One way to help stop this or keep a wildfire from your home as long as possible is to install 1/8 thick metal mesh screening to the underside of your deck.

Prepare your home now for a wildfire; when disaster strikes, your only focus should be getting your family to safety.