Fire Safety

Lightning ignites a hillside. A TOSSED CIGARETTE SPARKS A ROADSIDE FIRE. KIDS PLAYING WITH MATCHES LIGHT UP A NEIGHBORHOOD.

We live in an area that sees many wildfires each year. Dry Brush and strong winds can turn a small fire into a serious threat in no time. There are ways to prepare now and make your home more fire safe.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO MAKE YOUR HOME MORE FIRE SAFE BEFORE A WILDFIRE?

Create a 30 - 100 ft safety zone around your home.
Clear all flammable vegetation. Rake leaves and twigs. Clear dead tree limbs.
Remove tree limbs within 15 ft of the ground.
Mow grass regularly.
Have a garden hose long enough to reach any area of the home.
Clear a 10 ft area around propane tanks and the barbecue.

WHAT CAN YOU DO WHEN A WILDFIRE THREATENS YOUR HOME?

Listen to a battery-powered radio for updates.
Back your car into the garage or in an open space facing the direction of escape.
If asked to evacuate, lock your home and tell someone where you're going.
If you have time, close windows, vents and doors and shut off all utilities.

You can find more information on preparing for wildfires here.

would you know what to do if a fire started in your home? would your child? in a fire, every second counts.

take the time to plan and prepare.

Practice escaping from every room in the house. Hold regular home fire drills. Have two ways to get out of every room in the house. Practice feeling your way out of the house with your eyes closed.

Immediately leave the home if a fire starts. Don't waste time saving property. If there's smoke, crawl low under the smoke and keep your mouth covered.

Never open doors that are hot to the touch. Use the back of your hand to feel a closed door. If it feels hot, use your secondary escape route.

Pick a meeting place outside and take attendance. Designate one person to go to a neighbor's and call 9-1-1.

Once out, stay out. Never go back into a burning building for any reason. If someone is missing, tell the firefighters. They are trained and equipped to perform safe rescues.