Fire Preparedness

With fire season well underway in California I am posting some protection and preparedness tips. Please use the following checklist from The Personal Insurance Federation of California to keep your families and communities safe:

-Clear all flammable vegetation within 100 feet of your house. Plant larger trees no closer than six feet from the structure.
-Cut small trees and brush to leave widely spaced, larger trees. Maintain a well-pruned landscape.
-Trim tree limbs hanging over your house.
-Clean all needles and leaves from the roof, eaves, and rain gutters.
-Maintain a well-watered landscape or use drought-resistant plants that won't increase your fire risk.
-Select low-growing and less-flammable plants when landscaping your home.
-Treat wood shingle roofs with fire retardants on a regular basis.
-Ensure your address is clearly marked and visible to emergency responders.
-Maintain access to your home and property to enable firefighters and their equipment to quickly reach a fire.
-Prepare an emergency supply kit and develop a plan to respond in an emergency. Practice your plan so that everyone will remember what to do. Remember: make the plan simple and easy to understand.
-At a minimum include the following, water (1 gallon per person per day), nonperishable food, flashlight, radio, first aid, medication, sanitation/personal hygiene items, copies of personal documents, cell phones, contact info, and extra cash.

View a printable checklist HERE from the The California Department of Forestry and Fire. And let's hope the fire in Los Angeles are contained and those affected have quick recoveries.

And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

(949) 753-7900