6 Ways to Prepare for Wildfire Season

Living in Southern California, we’re no strangers to the near constant threat of wildfires; it’s one of the risks that comes with living in this beautiful region.  Being prepared and taking precautions are the best way to mitigate those risks! Below are 6 ways to prepare your family (and home) for wildfire season.

1.       Create a “defensible space” around your home. Clear all dry brush and dead plants (at least 100 feet from your home), and never keep your firewood against your home. Keep plants low, and widely spaced to prevent a continuous path of fuel for a potential fire, and choose fire resistant plants  (like succulents, roses, and Lily of the Nile) for your landscaping.

2.       Ensure all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order

3.       Create a wildfire action plan with your family; know which person is responsible for grabbing certain items, where you’ll meet up, and who is the point of contact. Don’t forget to include your four-legged friends in your plan!

4.       Prepare your “go kit”. You want to ensure all important documents (passports, birth certificates, etc) are in a fire proof box and ready to grab in the event of a quick exit. You can also include any important keepsakes, like photo albums and jewelry, you would want to take.

5.       Chat with your insurance agent to make sure you have adequate coverage, and take updated photos/video of all your rooms & possessions in case you need to make a claim.

6.       Find a site or app to download to notify you of any nearby fires (my go-to are Brush Fire Partyline/San Diego North County on Facebook and the Watch Duty (Wildfire) app.

For a more detailed list, please visit readyforwildfire.org