Preparing for Wildfires

6/16/2017 (Permalink)

Learn how to protect and prepare your home, family and business for wildfires.

Though this spring has been pretty wet, fires can still pose a risk. Wildfires in particular can cause vast amounts of damage. Wildfires are more common in drier areas, like Eastern Washington, but it is still important to be prepared in case wildfires do occur in our area, especially as we reach the hotter summer months.

Prepare Yourself

It's important to be prepared for any disaster that might occur. Read through these tips from FEMA to learn how to prepare your family, home and business for wildfires.

• Get an Emergency Supply Kit, which includes items like non-perishable food, water, a battery powered or hand-crank radio, extra flashlights and batteries. You may want to prepare a portable kit and keep it in your car.
• Make a Family Emergency Plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together and what you will do in case of an emergency.
• Protect your property from wildfires by designing and landscaping with wildfire safety in mind.
• Learn about the emergency plans that have been established in your area by your state and local government. In any emergency, always listen to the instructions given by local emergency management officials.
• Ask your local SERVPRO® Franchise Professional about starting a Disaster Recovery Plan for your business.

If Wildfires Do Threaten

If wildfires do occur near you, follow these tips from FEMA:

• Wear protective clothing.
• Take your Emergency Supply Kit.
• Lock your home or business.
• Tell someone when you leave and where you are going.
• Choose a route away from fire hazards.
• Close windows, vents, doors, blinds or noncombustible window coverings.
• Shut off all utilities, if possible.
• Open fireplace damper. Close fireplace screens.
• Move flammable furniture into the center of the home.
• Turn on a light in each room to increase the visibility of your home.
• Seal attic and ground vents with precut noncombustible coverings.
• Turn off propane tanks.
• Place combustible patio furniture inside.
• Connect the garden hose to outside taps.
• Set up a portable gasoline-powered pump.
• Place lawn sprinklers on the roof and near above ground fuel tanks.
• Wet or remove shrubs within 15 feet of the home or business.
• Gather fire tools.

Wildfires can strike almost anywhere and can cause more than just the damage that you see. If fire or smoke damages your property, it can throw your life into chaos. SERVPRO® of North Everett/Lake Stevens/Monroe is dedicated to restoring your damaged property back to its preloss condition and helping your life get back to normal.

If fire or smoke damages your home or business, give us a call at 360-243-8313. We’ll make it “Like it never even happened.”

*Tips provided by FEMA and SERVPRO® Industries, Inc.