| • |
Wear protective clothing — sturdy shoes, cotton
or woolen clothing, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, gloves and a handkerchief
to protect your face.
|
| • |
Back your car into the garage or park it in an open space
facing the direction
of escape.
|
| • |
Shut doors and roll up windows.
|
| • |
Leave the key in the ignition. Close garage windows and
doors, but leave them unlocked.
|
| • |
Disconnect automatic garage door openers. If you’re
sure you have the time, take steps to protect your home inside and out.
|
| • |
Close windows, vents, doors, Venetian blinds or
non-combustible window coverings and heavy drapes. Remove lightweight
curtains.
|
| • |
Shut off gas at the meter. Turn off pilot lights.
|
| • |
Open fireplace damper. Close fireplace screens.
|
| • |
Move flammable furniture into the center of the home
away from windows
and sliding glass doors.
|
| • |
Turn on a light in each room to increase the visibility
of your home in heavy smoke.
|
| • |
Seal attic and ground vents with pre-cut plywood or
commercial seals.
|
| • |
Turn off propane tanks.
|
| • |
Place combustible patio furniture inside.
|
| • |
Connect the garden hose to outside taps.
|
| • |
Set up the portable gasoline-powered pump.
|
| • |
Place lawn sprinklers on the roof and near above-ground
fuel tanks. Wet the roof.
|
| • |
Wet or remove shrubs within 15 feet of the home.
|
| • |
If you think it’s time to leave, you’re probably
right.
|
| • |
Take your disaster supply kit. Lock your home. Tell
someone when you left and where you are going. Watch for changes in the speed
and direction of fire and smoke. Choose a route away from
fire hazards.
|
| • |
Just because it’s out doesn’t mean it can’t
burn you.
|
| • |
Take care when re-entering a burned wild land area. Hot
spots can flare up
without warning.
|
| • |
Check your roof immediately and extinguish any sparks
or embers.
|
| • |
Check your attic for hidden burning sparks and re-check
throughout your house
for several hours afterward.
|
| • |
Contact your insurance agent for an assessor to document
the damage.
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