Seven Tips From NFPA to Protect Your Home

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) offers seven ways residents can reduce the risk that their homes and property will become fuel for a wildfire.

• Clear:  Clear off pine needles, dead leaves, and anything that can burn from your roof lines, gutters, decks, porches, patios, and along fence lines.  Falling embers will have nothing to burn.
• Store Away:  Store away furniture, cushions, rattan mats, potted plants, and other decorations from decks, porches, and patios.  These items catch embers and help ignite your home if you leave them outside.
• Screen and Seal:  Wind-borne embers can get into home easily through vents and other openings and burn the home from the inside out.  Walk around your house to see what openings you can screen and seal up.
• Rake:  Embers landing in mulch that touches your house, deck, or fence is a big fire hazard.  Rake out any landscaping mulch to a least five feet away.
• Trim:  Trim back any shrubs or tree branches that come closer than five feet to the house and attachments and trim any overhanging branches.
• Remove:  Walk around your house and remove anything within 30 feet that can burn, such as woodpiles, spare lumber, vehicles and boats.  Remove anything that can act as a large fuel source.
• Close:  If ordered to evacuate, make sure all windows and doors are closed tightly and seal up any pet doors.  Many homes are destroyed by embers entering these openings and burning the house from the inside out.