---

How To Make Your Home Fire Safe

INTERIOR: Consider installing residential sprinklers 1) Kitchen: Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen Maintain electric and gas stoves in good operating condition Keep baking soda on hand to extinguish stove-top grease fires Move the handles of pots and pans containing hot liquids away from the front of the stove Place flammable curtains and towels away from burners on the stove Store matches and lighters out of the reach of children Properly store flammable liquids in approved containers and away from ignition sources such as pilot llights 2) Living Room: Install a screen on your fireplace Store the ashes from your fireplace (and barbecue) in a non-combustible container and dispose of only when cold Clean fireplace chimneys and flues at least once a year 3) Hallway: Install smoke detectors between living and sleeping areas Test smoke detectors monthly and replace batteries twice a year Install child safety plugs (caps) on electrical outlets Replace electrical cords that do not work properly, have loose connections or are frayed 4) Bedroom: If you sleep with the door closed, install a smoke detector in the bedroom Turn off electric blankets and other electric appliances when out in use Do not smoke in bed 5) Bathroom: Disconnect hot appliances such as curling irons and electric irons when done; store in a safe location until cool Keep flammable items such as towels away from wall and floor heaters 6) Garage: Mount a fire extinguisher in the garage Have tools such as a shovel, hoe, rake and bucket available for use in a wildfire emergency Install a solid door with self-closing hinges between living areas and the garage Dispose of oily rags in metal containers Store all combustibles away from ignition sources such as water heaters Disconnect electrical tools and applicances when not in use Allow hot tools such as glue guns and soldering irons to cool before storing Disaster Preparedness: Store at least a three-day supply of food that does not require refrigeration and generally does not need cooking Store at least a three-day supply of drinking water Store a portable radio, flashlight, emergency cooking equipment, portable lanterns and batteries Maintain first aid supplies to treat the injured until help arrives Keep a list of valuables to take with you in an emergency; if possible, store these valuables together to save time later Consider a portable generator to supply power to lights and cooking appliances Have a contingency plan to enable family members to contact each other Make sure that all family members are ready to protect themselves with STOP, DROP, AND ROLL EXTERIOR 1) Roof: Remove dead branches overhanging your roof Remove any branches within 10 feet of your chimney Clean all dead leaves and needles from your roof and gutters Install a roof that meets the fire resistance classification of "Class C" or better Cover your chimney outlet and stovepipe with a nonflammable screen of 1/2 inch or smaller mesh  2) Construction: Build your home away from ridge tops, canyons and areas between high points on a ridge Build your home at least 30 feet from your property line Use fire resistant building materials Enclose the underside of balconies and above ground decks with fire resistant materials Install only dual-paned or triple-paned windows 3) Landscape: Create a "defensible space" by removing all flammable vegetation at least 30 feet from all structures and replacing it with fire resistant plants On steep slopes, remove flammable vegetation out to 100 feet or more Space native trees and shrubs at least 10 feet apart For trees taller than 18 feet, prune lower branches within 6 feet of the ground Choose ornamental landscaping plants that are fire resistant Reduce the number of trees in heavily wooded areas Maintain all plants by regularly removing dead branches, leaves and needles 4) Yard: Stack woodpiles at least 30 feet from all structures and clear away flammable vegetation within 10 feet of woodpiles Locate LPG tanks (butane and propane) at least 30 feet away from any structure and clear10 feet around the tanks Remove all stacks of construction materials, pine needles, leaves and other debris from your yard 5) Emergency Water Supply: Maintain an emergency water supply that meets fire department standards such as a community water hydrant system, a cooperative emergency storage tanks with neighbors or a minimum storage supply of 2,500 gallons on your property Clearly mark all emergency water sources Create easy firefighter access to your closest emergency water source 6) Access: Identify at least two exit routes from your neighborhood Construct roads that allow two-way traffic Design road width, grade and curves to alow access for large emergency vehicles Construct driveways to allow large emergency equipment to reach your house Design bridges to carry heavy emergency vehicles, including bulldozers carried on large trucks Post clear road signs to show traffic restrictions such as dead-end roads, and weight and height limitations Make sure dead-end roads and long driveways have turnaround areas wide enough for emergency vehicles Constructi turnouts along one-way roads Clear flammable vegetation at least 10 feet from roads and 5 feet from driveways Cut back overhanging tree branches above roads Construct fire barriers, such as greenbelts Make sure that your street is named or numbered, and a sign is visibly posted at each street intersection Make sure that your street name and house number are not duplicated elsewhere in the county Post your house address at the beginning of your driveway, or on your house if it is easily visible from the road Outside: Designate an emergency meeting place outside your home Practice emergency exit drills regularly Make sure that electric service lines, fuse boxes and circuit breaker panels are installed and maintained as prescribed by code Contact qualified individuals to perform electrical maintenance and repairs BE FIREWISE AND FIRE SAFE! HOME