10 SIMPLE STEPS TO PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM
WILDLAND FIRE
Wildfire can strike
home if you have not taken some steps to protect your house and property. The
actions and precautions listed below are designed to help you prepare your home
and lessen the threat of wildland fire damage to you and your property.
1. LPG tanks should be
far enough away from buildings for valves to be shut off in case of fire. Keep
area around the tank clear of flammable vegetation.
2. Store gasoline in an
approved safety can away from occupied buildings.
3. All combustibles
such as firewood, wooden picnic tables, boats, stacked lumber, etc. should be
kept away from structures.
4. Clear roof surfaces
and gutters regularly to avoid build-up of flammable materials such as leaves
and other debris.
5. Remove branches from
trees to a height of 15 feet or more.
6. In rural areas,
clear a fuel break of at least 3 times the fuel length around all structures.
7. Have fire tools
handy such as: ladder long enough to reach your roof, shovel, rake, and a
bucket or two for water.
8. Place connected
garden hoses at all sides of your home for emergency use.
9. Assure that you and
your family know all emergency exits from your home.
10. Assure that you and
your family know all emergency exits from your neighborhood.
A few things you should
be aware of during these dry, warm periods...
1. Know if there is or
is not a burning ban in place for your town, city, or county.
2. If you burn, clear a
large area on the ground of any combustible material, such as grass, leaves,
and scrap wood, burn only what you want to burn.
3. Do not leave your
burn pile unattended and have a hose at the ready.
For more information,
visit the Firewise Communities Project website at: http://www.firewise.org/communities/home.html
Or
Fire Risk Assessment
John B. Connally Building
301 Tarrow, Suite 304
College Station, Texas 77840
Phone: 9794586530
Fax: 9794587333
Or visit the Texas Forest Service website: http://txforestservice.tamu.edu