Prepare Your Home For The Fire Season

California has many natural blessings. We enjoy a fantastic ocean coast, great mountains, forests, and all kinds of weather. But we also have fires that endanger life and property. As of June 2023, 223,834 fire incidents have been reported. 

Here are some steps you can take to make your home more resilient to wildfires:

1. Create defensible space: Maintain a 5-foot non-combustible zone immediately around your house, free from plants, woodpiles, or other flammable materials. Remove all dead branches if possible.

2. Make your home fire-retardant: Use fire-resistant materials for your home’s exterior, such as brick, stone, metal, or stucco siding. Replace or repair damaged roof shingles and tiles.

3. Clear gutters and roofs: Remove dead leaves and debris from your roof and gutters regularly.

4. Ensure proper access and water supply: Keep your driveway and access roads clear of vegetation and obstacles for emergency vehicles.  And have a garden hose long enough to reach all areas of your property.

5. Prepare an emergency kit: with essentials like first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, portable radio, non-perishable food, water, and important documents.

6. Develop an evacuation plan: Identify multiple evacuation routes and establish meeting points for your family. If you live in a multi-family building, get acquainted with your building’s escape routes. 

At The Cal Agents, we consider the protection of life of the highest priority. We work closely with the experts at 6 Hammers to locate a home’s fire safety areas of opportunity and propose the renovations needed to address them. 

You can schedule a FREE consultation with us to discuss plans for the best use of your property. Consultations can happen via phone or Zoom in our meeting room in Emeryville.