IBHS News Releases

"Residents can safeguard their property to better withstand the threat of wildfire with a little hard work over a weekend," said Harvey Ryland, president of the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). "No home is fireproof, but by taking the necessary precautions, your home has a better chance of surviving such a catastrophe."

IBHS offers the following precautions:

BEFORE DISASTER STRIKES:

Remove all dead branches overhanging your roof and all branches within 10 feet of chimneys.
Cover chimneys serving fireplaces, barbecues or incinerators with a wire screen of 1/4 -inch or smaller mesh.
Enclose the underside of balconies and aboveground decks with fire-resistive or noncombustible materials.
Create a "defensible space" by removing all dry grass, brush and dead leaves at least 30 feet from a home.
Plant native, fire-resistive vegetation whenever possible.
For trees taller than 18 feet, prune lower branches within six feet of the ground to keep ground fires from spreading into treetops.
Stack firewood and scrap woodpiles at least 30 feet from any structure and clear away flammable vegetation that is within 10 feet.
Locate LPG tanks (butane and propane) at least 30 feet away from any structure and surround them with 10 feet of clearance.
Clearly mark all emergency water sources and maintain easy access.
Remove dead leaves or vegetation only when local garbage collection services will have time to pick up the debris. If a fire threatens immediately, leave the vegetation alone.

DURING REBUILDING:

During home improvement projects, or while rebuilding a damaged home, adopt these important safe-building practices:

Build or remodel with fire-resistive building materials, particularly roofs, as they are the most vulnerable part of a home and easily catch fire from wind-blown sparks.
Limit the size and number of windows in the home that face large areas of vegetation. Even from a distance of 30 feet away, heat from a wildfire can ignite the furnishings inside a home.
Install only double-paned or triple-paned windows to reduce heat transmission.
Space trees and shrubs at least 10 feet apart. Reduce the number of trees in heavily wooded areas.
Maintain an emergency water supply within 1,000 feet of your home that meets fire department standards through one of the following:
Community water/hydrant system
Drafting site on a lake
Cooperative emergency storage tank with neighbors
Swimming pool
If your water comes from a well, consider installing an emergency generator to operate the pump during power failures or interruptions.
GENERAL DISASTER PREPAREDNESS STEPS:

Learn your community’s disaster preparedness plan and create a family plan. Plan an escape route and designate an emergency meeting place.
Gather essential supplies in a container, including flashlights, batteries, water, battery-powered radios, nonperishable foods, first aid kits and prescription medicines.
Gather essential papers, including birth and marriage certificates, social security cards, bank and insurance papers, wills, deeds, recent tax returns, stocks, bonds and prescription information.
Prepare a home inventory of your belongings on film or videotape. Store the inventory away from the premises.Review your homeowners insurance policy annually with your insurance agent or company to make sure you have adequate and appropriate protection.