Safety Tips: 13 Steps on How to be Prepared from Wildfires

DISASTER 101: HOW TO BE PREPARED FROM WILDFIRES?

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Wildfires are unpredictable, and sometimes things won't go as planned. You can take measures to increase your chance of survival if you find yourself caught by a wildfire.

Wildfire's noise can be deafening, and the house may be sweltering and smoky as the fire passes by. Hence, you should be prepared to handle the situation.

You can help keep yourself, family, and property secure by taking the following steps to reduce risks if you live in a wildfire-prone area.

Prepare Your Home for a Wildfire

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Home Maintenance

Clean your gutters and remove the materials that could spark fire due to windborne embers. Trim tree limbs that may be too close to your home. Ensure your smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are fully operational. Make sure your fire escape ladder is accessible and easily deployed by the residents in your home if you need to evacuate quickly from an upper floor.

Be prepared

Have a survival kit, evacuation plan, and have a home inventory of all your belongings in case of wildfires.

Create Zones

Have defensible space zones between natural growth and structures that are free of grasses, trees, and bushes to keep your property away from wildfires. Remove woodpiles away from home.

Fire-Resistant Materials

Have fire-resistant materials such as soffits, decking and siding, non-combustible roofing, and fire-rated glass or fire shutters for windows. Evaluate the roof design to see which factors may make your home more risks to wildfire.

When a Wildfire Approaches

Monitor Conditions

Stay tuned to local news on wildfire. Follow evacuation instructions given by officials. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service also provides large incident maps of fires.

Practice Your Plan

Go through your prepared emergency plans with your family. Choose a meeting point and a check-in telephone number. In case you've been separated from your family during the evacuation, you know where to find them. Also, make sure that everyone has charged their mobile phones and have their emergency numbers stored in their phonebooks.

Prepare if possible

Close the windows, blinds, doors, and shut off utilities if you have time. Open the fireplace damper and close fireplace screens.

Prepare your vehicle

Have your car ready to leave at a moment's notice. Make sure the fuel tanks are filled and the keys accessible. Roll the windows up to prevent smoke from coming in of your vehicle.

What to Do During a Wildfire

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Regard Evacuation Instructions

Evacuate immediately once the officials make an announcement. Wear appropriate clothes that could protect you from embers—such as a wool shirt and a long pair of pants. Cover your faces with wet cotton towels.

Follow Your Plan

Get your survival kit with you and follow your evacuation plan. Choose a route away from smoke and fire. Be sure everyone knows where to go and what to do.

After a Wildfire

Wait for the "All Clear" signal

Coordinate with fire officials before re-entering your residences. Be careful when entering since fires may re-ignite.

Check Grounds

Hot spots may include smoldering stumps and vegetation. Check the surroundings of your home. Check your residence after several days.

Discard of Damaged Food or Medication

Dispose of any food or pills that came in touch with smoke or fire.

Conclusion
Violent fires are most common in the United States. By following the steps above, you can survive wildfires.