We know all the essentials. But have you heard of these?
The dry season is looming, and with that comes fire. Here are 10 spring projects that can significantly boost your home’s fire safety. We all know clearing brush, trimming trees, and having a fire extinguisher. But have you thought of the vulnerabilities in your home?
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- Seal the roof: Embers can infiltrate tiny gaps, so ensuring a tight seal around your roof flashing and vents is crucial. Consider having a professional inspect and seal any potential entry points.
- Dryer & Vent Cleaning: These are the two most common in-door fire starters, make sure to clean them out every quarter.
- Document & Organize: Critical documents can be easily forgotten. Create a fireproof box to store important papers, insurance information, and digital backups on a flash drive.
- Prepare Your Pets: Ensure pet carriers, updated ID tags, and a week’s worth of food and medication are readily available in an easily accessible grab-and-go bag.
- Waterproofing Wisdom: While it might seem counterintuitive, a well-watered lawn can create a firebreak around your house. Maintaining proper moisture levels in landscaping can make a difference.
- Plan for Power Outages: Wildfires can disrupt power lines. Having a battery-powered radio, flashlights, and a phone charger will keep you informed and connected during an outage.
- Deck Danger: Wood decks attached to your house can act as a fire bridge. Consider creating a fire break between the deck and your house with fire-resistant materials like stone or metal.
- Take a Video of your Home: A home inventory video documents your belongings on camera. It helps with fire claims by providing visual proof of what you owned.
- Invest in Smart Home Devices: Smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can send alerts directly to your phone, even when you’re not home. This allows for quicker intervention and potentially minimizes fire damage. Studies by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) show that properly functioning smoke alarms reduce the risk of death in home fires by 50%.
- Fire-Resistant Landscaping: using plants, materials, and design techniques to create a barrier that slows the spread of fire toward your home. This is especially important in areas prone to wildfires. Some great fire-resistant plant options in Washington State: Yellow Iceplant, Kinnikinnick, Oregon Grape, and Creeping Phlox.
Peace of Mind with Basin Pacific Insurance
As your insurance partner, we are committed to protecting your valuable assets that, in many cases, have taken a lifetime to build. At Basin Pacific, we offer comprehensive homeowners insurance that can help you rebuild after a fire. However, prevention is always better than cure. By taking these steps, you significantly reduce your wildfire risk.
For tips on wildfire evacuation, click here.
Our team of insurance agents are always available to discuss your specific needs and ensure your coverage reflects your fire risk. For more information on how we can help you protect your assets, contact [email protected] and we’ll have a member of our team get in touch with you shortly.
