A Safety Checklist For Your Home

1. Remove dead branches hanging over roof.

2. Remove any branches within 15' of your chimney.

3. Clean all dead leaves and needles from roof and gutters.

4. Cover chimney opening with a nonflammable screen of 1/2” or smaller mesh.

5. Soak fireplace and barbecue ashes in a metal bucket of water before disposal.

6. Build home away from ridgetops.

7. Use fire-resistant building materials.

8. Install double- or triple-pane windows.

9. Build concrete or stone patios instead of wooden decks.

10. Install outside water hydrants and have garden hose attached.

11. Stack woodpiles at least 30 away from structures.

12. Locate LP gas tanks at least 30' away from structures and clear vegetation within 10' of tank.

13. Clear vegetation at least 10' away from burning barrels; cover top of barrel with a screen.

14. Maintain 30' defensible space all around home: green lawn, fire-resistant foundation plants less than 18" tall and hardwood tree branches pruned 6’ to 10' from the ground.

15. Clearly mark all emergency water sources.

16. Construct roads at least 16' wide.

17. Design road width, grades, curves, turnarounds and bridges for large emergency vehicles.

18. Make sure your road is clearly named or numbered and a sign is posted at each intersection.

19. Post names and address of occupants at driveway entrance.

20. Designate an emergency meeting place outside your home.

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