ildfires only happen in California, right? W For more information about protecting your family PROTECT PROTECT and home from wildfires, check these sources: Well, maybe in Florida and New Mexico too, but certainly not in your neighbor- NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION hood. However, in truth, nearly every (http://www.nfpa.org) YOUR HOME YOUR HOME state has been devastated by wildfires in FIREWISE COMMUNITIES the last century. Over 140,000 wildfires (http://www.firewise.org/communities) occurred on average each year, burning a AGAINST AGAINST NATIONAL INTERAGENCY FIRE CENTER total of almost 14.5 million acres. And (http://www.nifc.gov) since 1990, over 900 homes have been destroyed each year by wildfires. WILDFIRE WILDFIRE Review your homeowners insurance policy periodically with your insurance agent or company While wildfires are more frequent in the representative to make sure you have sufficient West, recent events have demonstrated DAMAGE DAMAGE coverage to rebuild your life and home after a that this is clearly a nationwide problem. wildfire. Report any property damage to your This is because more of us are living in insurance agent or company representative immediately after a natural disaster and make rural areas closer to nature. These areas temporary repairs to prevent further damage. are more prone to wildfires and that means our homes are at risk. No home is fireproof, but by taking the necessary For information about filing an insurance claim precautions, your home has a better after a natural disaster, contact: chance of surviving such a catastrophe. YOUR INSURANCE AGENT OR INSURANCE COMPANY INSURANCE INFORMATION INSTITUTE So, what can you do to protect yourself, 110 William Street your home and property from wildfires? New York, NY 10038 Phone: 1-800-942-4242 This brochure presents tips for preparing Fax: (212) 346-5500 your home and yard to survive a wildfire. http://www.iii.org The information and suggestions present- ed in this brochure range from simple weekend tasks to involved projects that may require professional assistance. Before starting on any activity, make sure you are comfortable with the required 4775 E. Fowler Ave. ¸ Tampa, FL 33617 skill level. If you are uncertain, contact 1(866) 657-4247(IBHS) ¸ Fax: (813) 286-9960 ¸ www.ibhs.org a professional engineer, architect, or building contractor. An initiative of the insurance industry to reduce deaths, injuries, property damage, economic losses and human suffering caused by natural disasters. ©IBHS 2001-02 = Page 1 = mended). ¸ Maintain your irrigation system. FIRST THINGS FIRST ¸ Use double paned or tempered glass for all ¸ Clear your roof, gutters and eaves of 1.If you’re handy with a hammer and exterior windows. debris. saw, you can do much of the work yourself. Work involving your home’s ¸ Install noncombustible street signs. ¸ Trim branches so they do not extend over roof or near the chimney. structure may require a building con- ¸ Make sure your street address is visible tractor, or a registered design profes- from the street. ¸ Move firewood and storage tanks 50 feet sional such as an architect or engineer. away from home and clear areas at least 10 feet around them. WHEN A WILDFIRE THREATENS 2.Before making any structural changes ¸ Store flammable liquids properly. to your home, check with your local Become familiar with your community’s ¸ building officials to be sure what you’re disaster preparedness plans and create a ¸ Do not connect wooden fencing directly to family plan. Identify escape routes from doing complies with local building your home. your home and neighborhood and desig- codes. nate an emergency meeting place for your family to reunite if you become separated. BUILD OR RETROFIT YOUR HOME WITH GIVE YOUR HOME A SURVIVABLE SPACE Put together an emergency kit that ¸ NON-FLAMMABLE MATERIALS THROUGH SMART LANDSCAPING includes a three-day supply of drinking If the wildfire gets to the house, another line of Create a zone around your house that will water and food you don’t have to refriger- defense is the type of materials used on your slow the wildfire down and possibly direct it ate or cook; first aid supplies; a portable home’s exterior. Use the following guidelines to around your home. To do this, you must view NOAA weather radio; a wrench and other best protect your home: your yard as a fuel source. Fire will only burn basic tools; a flashlight; work gloves; if fuel is present. Fuel can be your landscap- emergency cooking equipment; portable ¸ Use only non-combustible roofing ing, woodpiles, decks, etc. To create your lanterns; fresh batteries for each piece of materials. survivable space, take the following steps equipment; clothing: blankets; baby items; prescription medications; extra car and ¸ Box in the eaves, fascias, soffits and sub- within 30 feet of your home, 50 feet if you live house keys; extra eyeglasses; credit cards floors with fire resistant materials like in a heavily treed area or 100 feet if your and cash; important documents, including treated wood, reducing the vent sizes. home is on a hillside. insurance policies. ¸ Apply 1/4" non-combustible screening to ¸ Introduce more native vegetation. A well prepared home has the greatest chance of all vent or eave openings. ¸ Space trees at least 10 feet apart. surviving a wildfire. These are just a few of the ¸ Install spark arresters in chimneys. design criteria we recommend, but for more ¸ Remove dead or dying trees and shrubs. information, visit our website at www.ibhs.org ¸ Enclose the undersides of decks with fire- ¸ Keep trees and shrubs pruned. Branches or contact IBHS at (813) 286-3400 x241. resistant materials. should be a minimum of 6 feet from the ¸ Cover exterior walls with fire resistant ground and shrubs under trees should be materials like stucco, stone, or brick. no more than 18 inches high. (Vinyl siding can melt and is not recom- ¸ Mow your lawn regularly and dispose promptly of cuttings and debris. = Page 2 =