 |
Wildfire Safety TipsWild fires often begin unnoticed. They spread quickly, igniting brush, trees and homes. In a wild fire, every second counts! To download a printable Wild Fire Safety checklist, click here.
Practice Wildfire Safety:
Contact your local fire department, health department or forestry office for information on fire laws. Report hazardous conditions that could cause a wildfire. Teach children about fire safety. Keep matches out of their reach. Post fire emergency telephone numbers. Plan several escape routes away from your home – by car and by foot. Talk to your neighbors about wildfire safety. Plan how the neighborhood could work together after a wildfire. Make plans to take care of children who may be on their own if parents can’t get home. Prepare Your Property:
Landscape your house with fire resistant plants such as hardwood trees. Create a 30- to 100-foot safety zone around your property. Keep items that can be used as fire tools: a rake, ax handsaw, bucket, shovel and a ladder that will reach the roof. Have a garden hose that reaches any area of the house. Mow grass regularly. Rake leaves and fallen limbs, clear all flammable vegetation and regularly clean roofs and gutters. Family Preparedness:
Prearrange several meeting places in case of separation during commotion. Teach children fire safety and keep matches out of their reach. Network with neighbors and find out who has special needs or skills. Plan for pet survival needs. Take first aid and CPR classes from the Red Cross. When wildfire threatens:
Listen on a battery-powered radio for evacuation information. If authorities advise you to evacuate, do so immediately. Prepare pets for evacuation. Park car pointed in direction of escape and leave keys in ignition. When evacuating, take disaster kit. If advised to evacuate, wear protective clothing, sturdy shoes, long pants and long-sleeved shirt, gloves and a handkerchief to protect face. Close all doors and windows, including the garage. Close all drapes, curtains and blinds. Lightweight curtains should be removed. 601 N. Golden Circle Drive, Santa Ana, CA, 92705
Phone: (714) 481-5300 Website: www.oc-redcross.org
