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Create fire-safe space around your house
- Remove anything flammable within 5 feet from your house, such as leaves, firewood, or building materials. Use hard surfaces, such as stone, brick, gravel, or concrete as a buffer.
- Remove plants near windows, vents, or siding that could catch fire.
- Trim branches hanging over your roof. Trim lower branches on trees that could ignite from fire on the ground.
- Keep your lawn and plants watered and remove dead branches or leaves.
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Maintain roof and gutters
Remove leaves, pine needles, and other debris from your rain gutters and roof. They can be ignited easily from windblown embers that travel ahead of a wildfire. You should do this regularly.
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Maintain decks
Check your deck for any material that can catch fire, such as potted plants or mulch beneath the deck. Don’t store wood on or under your deck. If a wildfire threatens, move wooden patio furniture or shade umbrellas inside.
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Check your insurance
This is an indoor project! Review your homeowners insurance policy to make sure you have enough coverage to rebuild your house if it’s destroyed. In addition, create a home inventory to help if you have to file a claim.
Resources
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