May
28
How to Protect Your Pet in the Event of Fire
Filed Under Wildfire Protection | Comments Off
Julie Calligaro asked:
The ongoing California wildfire is a reminder that pets and their owners may be forced to evacuate on short notice.
Yet studies on disaster evacuation show that only 40% of pet owners are prepared to evacuate their pets with the rest of the family. The remaining 60% evacuate without their pets and then risk their own lives by returning home prematurely to rescue their animals. Simple foresight and planning can protect both pet owners and their four-legged companions.
Our pets depend on us for their survival. To be prepared:
Include your pets in your family’s evacuation plan. Rehearse your evacuation plan repeatedly with your family including your dog. Have a Pet Safety Kit ready and have an extra kit in your car. Listen to your dog. Canines have the ability to smell smoke long before humans. If your dog is acting strangely, investigate the situation immediately and be prepared to gather your family and pets and follow your evacuation plan. Be sure your fire evacuation plan accounts for dogs in pens and crates. Fire experts say the number one reason dogs perish in a fire is because they are confined to their pens and cannot escape. Use Pet Rescue Stickers to inform firefighters that you have a pet or pets inside. Research pet friendly lodging so you will have a place to board your pet if necessary. Consider installing a dog door that leads outside so an endangered dog has a chance to escape on its own. When you’re not home, keep your pets on the ground floor so they will be easier to rescue. Give a key to a trusted neighbor and make sure they know where your pet or pets are likely to be in the house so they can inform firefighters. If your pet was in a smoke filled building or if you can smell smoke on his fur take him to a veterinarian. Toxic fumes can be deadly. Make certain you have working smoke detectors on every level of your home and near bedrooms. Keep hallways and home exits free of clutter.
DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND IF YOU EVACUATE! Pets may not survive if left on their own; and if they do, you may not be able to find them when you return. The single most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to take them with you when you evacuate. Animals left behind in a disaster are easily injured, lost or killed. Animals turned loose to fend for themselves become victims of exposure, dehydration, starvation, predators, contaminated food or water, and accidents. Leaving dogs tied or chained to a house is a death sentence.
If you leave, even if you think you will return in few hours, take your pets with you. You have no way of knowing how long you will be kept out of the area and you may not be able to return to retrieve your pets.
Leave early – don’t wait for a mandatory evacuation order. An unnecessary trip is far better than waiting too long to safely leave with your pets. If you wait to be evacuated by emergency officials, you may be told to leave your pets behind.
Ruben
The ongoing California wildfire is a reminder that pets and their owners may be forced to evacuate on short notice.
Yet studies on disaster evacuation show that only 40% of pet owners are prepared to evacuate their pets with the rest of the family. The remaining 60% evacuate without their pets and then risk their own lives by returning home prematurely to rescue their animals. Simple foresight and planning can protect both pet owners and their four-legged companions.
Our pets depend on us for their survival. To be prepared:
Include your pets in your family’s evacuation plan. Rehearse your evacuation plan repeatedly with your family including your dog. Have a Pet Safety Kit ready and have an extra kit in your car. Listen to your dog. Canines have the ability to smell smoke long before humans. If your dog is acting strangely, investigate the situation immediately and be prepared to gather your family and pets and follow your evacuation plan. Be sure your fire evacuation plan accounts for dogs in pens and crates. Fire experts say the number one reason dogs perish in a fire is because they are confined to their pens and cannot escape. Use Pet Rescue Stickers to inform firefighters that you have a pet or pets inside. Research pet friendly lodging so you will have a place to board your pet if necessary. Consider installing a dog door that leads outside so an endangered dog has a chance to escape on its own. When you’re not home, keep your pets on the ground floor so they will be easier to rescue. Give a key to a trusted neighbor and make sure they know where your pet or pets are likely to be in the house so they can inform firefighters. If your pet was in a smoke filled building or if you can smell smoke on his fur take him to a veterinarian. Toxic fumes can be deadly. Make certain you have working smoke detectors on every level of your home and near bedrooms. Keep hallways and home exits free of clutter.
DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND IF YOU EVACUATE! Pets may not survive if left on their own; and if they do, you may not be able to find them when you return. The single most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to take them with you when you evacuate. Animals left behind in a disaster are easily injured, lost or killed. Animals turned loose to fend for themselves become victims of exposure, dehydration, starvation, predators, contaminated food or water, and accidents. Leaving dogs tied or chained to a house is a death sentence.
If you leave, even if you think you will return in few hours, take your pets with you. You have no way of knowing how long you will be kept out of the area and you may not be able to return to retrieve your pets.
Leave early – don’t wait for a mandatory evacuation order. An unnecessary trip is far better than waiting too long to safely leave with your pets. If you wait to be evacuated by emergency officials, you may be told to leave your pets behind.
Ruben
May
28
Fire Resistant Landscaping
Filed Under Wildfire Protection | Comments Off
Marie Wakefield asked:
No one disputes that the wildfires are a major risk each summer. Sprawl development around big cities and second home projects in scenic areas have pushed more homes into the “wildlife urban interface,” where uncontrolled fires ignite houses and put both residents and firefighters at risk.
Ultimately, firefighters’ lives and homes will be better protected when homes are landscaped to be able to resist wildfire damage with minimal or no need for human intervention. This is entirely technically feasible, and is necessary if communities located within fire-prone landscapes are to become sustainable.
The first action is creating a defensible space around your home. Allow at least 30 feet, and in very fire prone areas at least 100 feet free of combustible materials. This means reducing the amount of wildfire fuel from shrubs, dead plant material and firewood. This area should utilize fire-resistant vegetation that is healthy and green for most of the year.
Defensible space is an area around a structure where forest fuels and vegetation are treated, cleared, or reduced to slow the spread of wildfire towards the structure. It also reduces the chance of a structure fire moving from the building to the surrounding forest. Your house is more likely to withstand a wildfire if grasses, brush, trees, and other common forest fuels are managed to reduce a fire’s intensity.
Here are some more suggestions on how to make home landscaping more resistant to wildfires.
Always keep a watchful eye towards reducing the fuel volumes available to fire. Be aware of growth habits of the plants within your landscape and of the changes that occur throughout the seasons.
Remove annuals and prune perennials after they have gone to seed or when the stems become overly dry.
Rake up leaves and other litter as it builds up through the season.
Mow or trim grasses to a low height within your defensible space.
Remove plant parts damaged by snow, wind, frost , or other agents.
Prune all plants, trees, and shrubs in a timely manner; this is critical. Pruning not only reduces fuel volumes but also maintains healthier plants by producing more vigorous growth.
Maintain your landscaping. This is a critical part of your home’s defense system.
Consider too, that regular landscape maintenance provides fire safety. Over time, plants grow and spread; mulches dry out; leaves and pine needles accumulate. All contribute to the fuels from which a fire grows. Proper maintenance improves the appearance and helps protect your home from wildfire.
Using fire resistant plants in your landscaping is part of the overall fire defense plan.
What are fire-resistant plants?
Fire resistant plants are plants that don’t readily ignite from a flame or other ignition sources. Although fire-resistant plants can be damaged or even killed by fire, their foliage and stems don’t contribute significantly to the fuel and, therefore, the fire’s intensity.
Plants that are fire-resistant have the following characteristics:
Leaves are moist and supple.
Plants that have little dead wood and tend not to accumulate dry, dead material within the plant.
Sap is water-like and does not have a strong odor.
Most deciduous trees and shrubs are fire-resistant.
However, it’s important to remember that even fire resistant plants can burn, particularly if they are not maintained in a healthy condition.
While little can be done to control the natural fires that occur in many areas, homeowners can change their approach to landscaping and help improve the chances of their homes and property surviving a brush fire.
Francisco
No one disputes that the wildfires are a major risk each summer. Sprawl development around big cities and second home projects in scenic areas have pushed more homes into the “wildlife urban interface,” where uncontrolled fires ignite houses and put both residents and firefighters at risk.
Ultimately, firefighters’ lives and homes will be better protected when homes are landscaped to be able to resist wildfire damage with minimal or no need for human intervention. This is entirely technically feasible, and is necessary if communities located within fire-prone landscapes are to become sustainable.
The first action is creating a defensible space around your home. Allow at least 30 feet, and in very fire prone areas at least 100 feet free of combustible materials. This means reducing the amount of wildfire fuel from shrubs, dead plant material and firewood. This area should utilize fire-resistant vegetation that is healthy and green for most of the year.
Defensible space is an area around a structure where forest fuels and vegetation are treated, cleared, or reduced to slow the spread of wildfire towards the structure. It also reduces the chance of a structure fire moving from the building to the surrounding forest. Your house is more likely to withstand a wildfire if grasses, brush, trees, and other common forest fuels are managed to reduce a fire’s intensity.
Here are some more suggestions on how to make home landscaping more resistant to wildfires.
Always keep a watchful eye towards reducing the fuel volumes available to fire. Be aware of growth habits of the plants within your landscape and of the changes that occur throughout the seasons.
Remove annuals and prune perennials after they have gone to seed or when the stems become overly dry.
Rake up leaves and other litter as it builds up through the season.
Mow or trim grasses to a low height within your defensible space.
Remove plant parts damaged by snow, wind, frost , or other agents.
Prune all plants, trees, and shrubs in a timely manner; this is critical. Pruning not only reduces fuel volumes but also maintains healthier plants by producing more vigorous growth.
Maintain your landscaping. This is a critical part of your home’s defense system.
Consider too, that regular landscape maintenance provides fire safety. Over time, plants grow and spread; mulches dry out; leaves and pine needles accumulate. All contribute to the fuels from which a fire grows. Proper maintenance improves the appearance and helps protect your home from wildfire.
Using fire resistant plants in your landscaping is part of the overall fire defense plan.
What are fire-resistant plants?
Fire resistant plants are plants that don’t readily ignite from a flame or other ignition sources. Although fire-resistant plants can be damaged or even killed by fire, their foliage and stems don’t contribute significantly to the fuel and, therefore, the fire’s intensity.
Plants that are fire-resistant have the following characteristics:
Leaves are moist and supple.
Plants that have little dead wood and tend not to accumulate dry, dead material within the plant.
Sap is water-like and does not have a strong odor.
Most deciduous trees and shrubs are fire-resistant.
However, it’s important to remember that even fire resistant plants can burn, particularly if they are not maintained in a healthy condition.
While little can be done to control the natural fires that occur in many areas, homeowners can change their approach to landscaping and help improve the chances of their homes and property surviving a brush fire.
Francisco
May
18
Are there any special fire-safety precautions to take if one is living in an attic?
Filed Under Fire Safety | 2 Comments
Alex S asked:
I am preparing to live in the attic of a home for a period of time. Does the attic require certain precautions that other rooms do not require to prevent a fire?
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I am preparing to live in the attic of a home for a period of time. Does the attic require certain precautions that other rooms do not require to prevent a fire?
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May
15
May
7
Protect your Place and your Peace of Mind
Filed Under Wildfire Protection | Comments Off
Stacy Neir asked:
As you look for a new home, plan your move or settle in to your new house, you may want to think about emergency planning. The increased number of severe weather incidents is heating up our TV sets, bringing home the aftermath of a major (or minor) disaster. Rather than living in fear or ignoring the possibility, you can take a few simple steps to prepare yourself and your family, while mitigating the potential for damage to your home.
The first step is to assess your risk – what types of disasters could you potentially face? If you are looking to relocate, you may want to choose a home that is not in a flood plain, on a fault line or in a wildfire prone area. Is your current dwelling at risk of an earthquake, hurricane or ice storm? Understanding your area will help you decide what kind of action makes sense.
There are a number of things you can do to protect your property. For very little cost you can install smoke detectors (remember to test them regularly), which are a necessity in every home. If you live in a wildfire prone area, clear brush from around your home and ask your local fire department to assess the dwelling. If you live in an earthquake zone, secure heavy items, like bookshelves and hot water heaters, in the home. This will protect your family from injury and prevent further damage. If you’re at risk for hurricanes invest in storm windows or cut to fit plywood.
Create a plan for your home that includes an escape route and an out of town contact number should your family be separated. Practice it will all members of the household. Know how to turn off the utilities.
Prepare an evacuation or “grab and go” kit. This should include copies of all your important papers including financial and family records, medical information, copies of prescriptions, some cash or traveler’s checks, a list of emergency contacts, bank information and insurance policies. Also include food and water, first aid supplies, tools, emergency supplies, clothing and bedding.
Make a household inventory –keeping a written description of your belongings will help you when it’s time to make an insurance claim. If you have access to a camera or a video camera make a visual record of your home’s contents – it will make your claim that much stronger. Note how much items cost, record serial numbers, and don’t forget to include your vehicles and the contents of your garage. Remember that having insurance is also important – without it you may find yourself facing the loss of your possessions with no means to replace them.
For more ideas on how to prepare and protect your home and family visit the many emergency preparedness sites on the web, because being prepared brings peace of mind.
Walter
As you look for a new home, plan your move or settle in to your new house, you may want to think about emergency planning. The increased number of severe weather incidents is heating up our TV sets, bringing home the aftermath of a major (or minor) disaster. Rather than living in fear or ignoring the possibility, you can take a few simple steps to prepare yourself and your family, while mitigating the potential for damage to your home.
The first step is to assess your risk – what types of disasters could you potentially face? If you are looking to relocate, you may want to choose a home that is not in a flood plain, on a fault line or in a wildfire prone area. Is your current dwelling at risk of an earthquake, hurricane or ice storm? Understanding your area will help you decide what kind of action makes sense.
There are a number of things you can do to protect your property. For very little cost you can install smoke detectors (remember to test them regularly), which are a necessity in every home. If you live in a wildfire prone area, clear brush from around your home and ask your local fire department to assess the dwelling. If you live in an earthquake zone, secure heavy items, like bookshelves and hot water heaters, in the home. This will protect your family from injury and prevent further damage. If you’re at risk for hurricanes invest in storm windows or cut to fit plywood.
Create a plan for your home that includes an escape route and an out of town contact number should your family be separated. Practice it will all members of the household. Know how to turn off the utilities.
Prepare an evacuation or “grab and go” kit. This should include copies of all your important papers including financial and family records, medical information, copies of prescriptions, some cash or traveler’s checks, a list of emergency contacts, bank information and insurance policies. Also include food and water, first aid supplies, tools, emergency supplies, clothing and bedding.
Make a household inventory –keeping a written description of your belongings will help you when it’s time to make an insurance claim. If you have access to a camera or a video camera make a visual record of your home’s contents – it will make your claim that much stronger. Note how much items cost, record serial numbers, and don’t forget to include your vehicles and the contents of your garage. Remember that having insurance is also important – without it you may find yourself facing the loss of your possessions with no means to replace them.
For more ideas on how to prepare and protect your home and family visit the many emergency preparedness sites on the web, because being prepared brings peace of mind.
Walter
May
3
Wildfire Pepper Spray – There’s Nothing Stronger
Filed Under Wildfire Protection | Comments Off
Security Girl asked:
Well, it’s that time again. Spring is quickly moving into summer and people are beginning get out and about – especially in areas where the winter snow and ice is finally melted.
Being able to enjoy the nicer weather is always enjoyable, however being outdoors has its drawbacks, as well. One of the issues that we have to deal with is the rising crime rate. I am not saying this to put a damper on anyone’s outdoor excursions. I am saying this so that people become alert and aware of what is happening around them. It is important to stay safe, and one way to do this is to prepare in advance.
One of the tools that many people are using – including me – is pepper spray. Why pepper spray? Because it is non-lethal and it gives you time to get away from a dangerous person or situation quickly. The strongest and purest pepper spray available today is Wildfire Pepper Spray. It is the hottest and fastest reacting pepper spray on the market, because it is the purest around.
Because of its strength and purity, Wildfire Pepper Spray permeates the pores of the skin, closes the eyes and inhibits the respiratory system, starting a would-be attacker or intruder to cough. These three reactions combine to render the individual disoriented. They will definitely be distracted enough trying to deal with their symptoms, that they will no longer be worried about you. You will be long gone – and hopefully will have called the police so that they are on their way – while the individual is still trying to deal with the reaction to the spray.
Wildfire Pepper Spray comes in many sizes and containers. One that is excellent for times when you are out for a walk or jog or when you might be leaving the mall or a dimly lit parking area or ATM in the evening is the keychain model, which is compact, easy to use, effective and can fit in your hand, pocket or purse. Don’t be a victim. Prepare in advance and keep yourself safe with Wildfire Pepper Spray.
Amy
Well, it’s that time again. Spring is quickly moving into summer and people are beginning get out and about – especially in areas where the winter snow and ice is finally melted.
Being able to enjoy the nicer weather is always enjoyable, however being outdoors has its drawbacks, as well. One of the issues that we have to deal with is the rising crime rate. I am not saying this to put a damper on anyone’s outdoor excursions. I am saying this so that people become alert and aware of what is happening around them. It is important to stay safe, and one way to do this is to prepare in advance.
One of the tools that many people are using – including me – is pepper spray. Why pepper spray? Because it is non-lethal and it gives you time to get away from a dangerous person or situation quickly. The strongest and purest pepper spray available today is Wildfire Pepper Spray. It is the hottest and fastest reacting pepper spray on the market, because it is the purest around.
Because of its strength and purity, Wildfire Pepper Spray permeates the pores of the skin, closes the eyes and inhibits the respiratory system, starting a would-be attacker or intruder to cough. These three reactions combine to render the individual disoriented. They will definitely be distracted enough trying to deal with their symptoms, that they will no longer be worried about you. You will be long gone – and hopefully will have called the police so that they are on their way – while the individual is still trying to deal with the reaction to the spray.
Wildfire Pepper Spray comes in many sizes and containers. One that is excellent for times when you are out for a walk or jog or when you might be leaving the mall or a dimly lit parking area or ATM in the evening is the keychain model, which is compact, easy to use, effective and can fit in your hand, pocket or purse. Don’t be a victim. Prepare in advance and keep yourself safe with Wildfire Pepper Spray.
Amy