IBHS News Releases

“Is Your Home Protected From Wildfire Disaster? A Homeowner’s Guide to Wildfire Retrofit,” published by the Institute for Business & Home Safety, looks at how to assess whether a property is at risk from this peril and what precautions can be taken. The booklet includes a checklist of measures that can help increase a home’s level of protection, and important steps to take before, during and after a wildfire strikes.

Improvements designed to increase a home’s resistance to wildfire are organized into cost categories, many of which require only a little time and effort. Steps include eliminating fuel sources like dry brush, wood and leaves, and pruning trees that are too low to the ground or too close to a structure so they don’t lead flames to a home.

More than 61,000 wildfires have burned an estimated three million acres so far this year in what’s being called one of the worst fire seasons ever. Harvey Ryland, IBHS president and chief executive officer says, “No home is fireproof, but by taking the necessary precautions, your home has a better chance of surviving such a catastrophe.”

Homeowners can download a copy of the booklet from the organization’s web site, www.ibhs.org, or obtain a free single copy by calling 1-866-657-IBHS (4247).

IBHS is a national, non-profit engineering, research and communications initiative of the insurance industry. Its mission is to reduce deaths, injuries, property damage, economic losses and human suffering caused by natural disasters.