Home Fire Safety Tips

Home Fire Safety

ROOF - OR BOX VENTS
Box Vents also often called Low Profile Vents, Louvers, Flat Vents, or Turtle Vents. These are all static vents. This means they have no moving parts. Utilizing natural convection, they create an opening for the rising hot air and moisture to escape through. Box Vents are most effective when installed as close to the roof ridge as possible. This allows the maximum amount of heat and moisture to escape. If these vents don’t have protective screens on them, they are an inviting entry point into your home’s structure for embers. To protect your home, all of these vents must be covered, using a metal mesh that is 1/16 to 1/8 inch. NOTE: There are plenty of mesh screens out there, but only the ones noted will have the best chance of stopping embers

RAIN GUTTERS
With rain gutters, the best thing you can do is periodically clear them of debris that could catch fire. You can also purchase a non-combustible gutter cover to help prevent the buildup of debris and makes it easier to maintain. Using a calendar (book or digital), create a reminder at least twice a year, and preferably quarterly, to clean out your rain gutters.

OUTDOOR FURNITURE
Don’t attach plastic or flammable furniture to the structure that makes up your home, garage, or any outbuilding. Keep furniture at least five (5) feet away from the structure, wherever possible. Purchase furniture that is resistant to fire.

ADDRESS NUMBERS
Always make sure that your address number is clearly visible from the street. This way, firefighters will be able to find your house easily, not only when you call for assistance, but when communicating about structure defense during a wildfire.