• Provide adequate turnarounds.
• Fire-proof trees along the road by removing dead limbs and brush.
• Unlock the gate around your property.
• A locked gate could prevent a fire truck from reaching your home.
• Create an area of reduced fuel and established your “defensible space” around your home.

Water

• Keep water stored in swimming pools and nearby ponds or storage tanks.
• Plan adequate access for a fire truck to reach the water.
• A small portable pump can make that water available to you for firefighting.

Power Lines

• Inspect nearby overhead power lines periodically to make sure limbs are cleared back a safe distance.
• If right-of-way maintenance is required, contact your power company or local fire department.
• Encourage or require that power and telephone lines be buried.

Debris Burning

• Follow all local burning regulations.
• In rural areas, debris burning is part of your fuel reduction plan, avoid summer burning or burning when winds are gusty.

Landscaping

• Plan landscaping with fire prevention in mind.
• Provide open space, plant fire-resistant species and keep plants away from the house. 

Fuel Breaks

• Clear a primary fuel break 30 feet around structures.
• Remove dense fuels that burn rapidly.
• Keep trees free of dead or dying wood that are near or overhanging any building.

Secondary Fuel Breaks

• Grub out potentially flammable small trees and shrubs.
• Keep grass mowed – especially when dry.
• Maintain irrigated green belts around structures.
• Select ground-hugging plants near structures.

Fireproof Your Building

• Clean gutters and roof of needles and leaves at least twice a year.
• Keep flammable materials away from the base of buildings.
• Don't let newspapers, rags, debris, leaves or grass to accumulate.
• Keep flammable liquids in unbreakable containers stores in a safe location.
• Keep trees and shrubs 15 feet away from of the outlet of a stovepipe or chimney.
• Screen unenclosed porches or overhanging decks or floor areas with one-half inch mesh screen.
  • Do the same for roof or attic openings.
• Use protective shutters or heavy fire-resistant drapes over large picture window surfaces facing heat exposure hazards.

Plan for Emergencies

• Dial 9-1-1 for emergencies.
• Plan at least two escape routes by car and another by foot.
• Have a ladder long enough to reach roof areas.
• Have a long-handled round-point shovel, rake, axe, handsaw or chainsaw, 2-1/2 gallon bucket.
• Maintain an adequate water source with exterior hookups.
• Conduct family fire drills
• Keep fire hose available.
  • Have adequate length to reach all structures, preferably from at least two faucets at the same time.

Find a Fire? GET OUT!

• Fire Safety in the home usually means get out of your house.

• Don't fight the fire unless it is to save a life. 

• Close the doors to other rooms on your way out.

• Call 9-1-1 from a neighbor’s phone or your cell phone. 

• Provide the address, nearest cross street and a call back phone number.

• Report All Fires and Smoke

• Many times people are hesitant to call the Fire Department for small fires. Consider the risks.

• Even when you think you have put out the fire, the Fire Department should check to insure that it is completely extinguished.

People with Special Needs

• Plan Around Your Abilities

• If you have a disability, consider how it could affect your ability to escape a fire in your home.

• If you can't escape on your own, designate a member of the household to help you and decide on backups in case the person isn’t home.

• Know your exits.

• Install smoke alarms.

• Sleep near a phone.

• Keep a flashlight handy.

• Sleep on the ground floor, if possible.

• Install ramps as needed.

• Make your fire department aware of your disability.

• Ask for suggestions to make your home safer and your escape easier.

If You Can't Escape

• If blocked exit paths or mobility problems prevent you from escaping, close as many doors as you can between you and the fire.

• Use duct tape or cloth to seal around doors and cover all vents to keep smoke out.

• Call 9-1-1, even if someone has responded to the fire.

• Wait by a window to be rescued.

• Signal to firefighters by waving a flashlight beam or light-colored cloth.