Build roof and exterior walls of fire-resistant material.
•
Treat exposed wood in roofs, siding, decks or trim with
UL-approved fire-retardant chemicals.
•
Install electrical lines underground if possible.
•
Install smoke detectors on every level of your home
and near bedrooms.
•
Consider building stone walls that can act as heat
shields and deflect flames.
•
Swimming pools and patios can buffer the house
from fire.
•
Protective shutters or heavy fire-resistant drapes can
stop embers from being blown into house when flames shatter windows.
Maintenance:
•
Work on your property regularly. You never know
when a disaster will strike.
•
Remove leaves and trash from under buildings.
•
Regularly dispose of newspapers and rubbish.
•
Stack firewood at least 100 feet away and uphill
from your home. Use only UL-approved wood stoves.
•
Store gasoline, oily rags and other flammable materials
in approved safety cans. Place cans in a safe location away from the base
of buildings.
•
Inspect chimneys at least twice a year. Clean them
at least once a year. Keep the dampers in good working order.
Do Not Panic:
Be ready to evacuate. Tune your radio to fire reports and listen for the
order to evacuate. Don’t be a hero. When fire fighters tell you it’s
time to go, they mean it. Until then, get busy and protect
your home.
