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Fire Prevention
We should all remember in July of 1985 when a major grass and brush fire occurred in neighboring communities and nine homes were completely destroyed. A fire of that magnitude or greater could happen in your neighborhood. That is why the Woodside Fire Protection District has developed these guidelines to help you increase your chances of saving your home during a major brush fire.
These guidelines are divided into three sections Advanced Preparation, If a Fire is Approaching your Home, and Other Fire Safety Tips. In most cases, these guidelines are part of the Uniform Fire Code, which is law. These codes are intended to help prevent wildland fires from starting and to protect your home in the event of a fire. By following these codes you give the firefighters a better chance of saving your home.
Advanced Preparation
- Cut plywood covers for glass doors, windows and vents
- provide roof ladders and garden hoses
- Plan escape routes to places of safety for family and pets
- List all items you wish to take with you for safe-keeping
- Maintain a defensible space between your home and any combustible, wild vegetation
- Install a spark arrester in your chimney
- Store all combustible materials such as wood, away from your home
- Clean your roof and rain gutters of all material that might catch fire
- Make sure that your address is clearly visible from the street and the fire department has safe access to your home
What to Do if a Fire is Approaching your Home
- Place ladders against the front of the house
- Connect garden hoses with shutoff nozzles and turn on water. Make sure that the nozzle on the hose is shut
- Park cars headed out
- Remove lightweight curtains from inside windows. Close heavy drapes and blinds
- Nail plywood covers over windows and vents
- Move lawn furniture indoors. In the house, pull combustible furniture away from windows
- Turn on lights in the house, porch, garage and yard
- Evacuate family and pets to a safe location
Other Fire Safety tips for You and Your Family
- Keep driveway to house clear of obstructions that could limit fire engine access
- Practice a home fire escape plan
- Keep lighters and matches out of the reach of children
- Change the batteries in your smoke detector semi-annually
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