8 Tips to Protect Your Home
Published: 10/16/2019
For the safety of our community it is important to prepare ourselves, our families, homes and businesses for a potential emergency. California witnessed devastating wildfires that destroyed homes and neighborhoods; please read the following tips to help prepare and protect your home.
CREATE A 100 FT. DEFENSIBLE SPACE ZONE
For large lot landowners, create 100 feet of a defensible space zone surrounding your structure(s). Remove dry grass, brush, and other flammable materials around your home.
REMOVE DEAD VEGETATION
All dead, dying or diseased trees, shrubs and vegetation should be removed within 100 feet from a structure. Properly dispose of yard clippings and other plant waste.
ROOF, RAIN GUTTERS & DECKS
Keep your rain gutters, roof and outdoor patio/deck areas clean of combustible debris such as leaves and pine needles.
COMBUSTIBLE LANDSCAPE MATERIAL
Cut tree branches at least 10 feet from rooftops and fireplace chimneys, and keep mulch and wood chips 12 inches away from exterior walls.
CHIMNEY
Cover chimney outlets with a metal screen having openings between 3/8 inches and 1/2 inches.
PROPANE TANKS
Propane tanks need 10 feet of clearance from combustible materials and vegetation.
HOSES & FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Have multiple hoses that are long enough to reach all areas of your home and property. Keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen and garage.
HOME ADDRESS NUMBERS
Address numbers must be in contrasting colors (minimum 4-inch size) from background, and readable from street or access road.
Find more safety tips from the City of Riverside in the latest edition of Explore Magazine
Being prepared can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency. Riversiders need to be vigilant in preparing for all types of emergencies. Click below to learn more about disaster preparedness.
