WILDFIRE PREPARATION

1/28/2020 (Permalink)

Southern California is infamous for its wildfire seasons. With high temperatures and winds, fires can spring up and can spread very quickly. It is important to take the time to prepare for evacuation should an emergency situation arise.

Below is a checklist that can help you with this:

1. Pack an emergency bag for you and your family (basically act like you’re going on a weekend camping trip):

• Water and nonperishable food (3 day supply per person). If you have animals, ensure you include their food.
• A first aid kit, including any absolutely needed medications or medical items.
• Emergency tools including flashlights, batteries, radio, etc.
• Sanitation and hygiene items, including any items needed for any infants such as diapers.
• Cellphone chargers.
• Extra clothes and footwear for each person.
• One blanket or sleeping bag per person.
• Some cash and emergency credit cards (if you have them).

2. Put a plan together:

• Plan two ways out of your neighborhood in case a usual road is blocked
• Select a meeting place for your family members in case you are evacuated, can’t get home, etc. Also, select one person who is out of the area to be a central contact point in case you are not able to meet up or get a hold of one another.
• Figure out what documents you should take with you. Make sure the documents are all in one location that is easy for you to access. You can also make copies of all of them and keep them specifically with your emergency bag.
• Figure out any cherished (irreplaceable) items you would want to take (jewelry, artwork, etc.). Make a list ahead of time so that if you do HAVE TIME to pack, you can quickly gather up these items (NOTE: These are the LAST things you would gather up, the first being your family and pets, the second being your emergency supplies, the 3rd being your documents and this being the LAST. If there is something so important to you that you must take it with you, put it in your emergency bag).
• Don’t let your vehicle get too empty on gas. You don’t want to have to evacuate and be out of gas, that would be bad. Try to keep at least 1/2 a tank of gas throughout the fire season.

3. Prepare your home:

• Clear dead brush, dead or dry plants and pine needles from around your home
• Keep your roof and rain gutters clean and clear of all pine needles, dry leaves, etc.
• Keep trees and bushes trimmed and not hanging over your roof

There are many other steps you can take, including using fire-resistant material for your roof and fence, but the above 4 are things you can do immediately. For the longer-term fireproofing of your home, here are some great tips.

• If and once you’re told to evacuate, do so immediately, don’t wait.
• Don’t panic.
• Take your emergency kit, family and pets and then anything else you have time for, lock your home and go to your emergency meet-up location.