Summer means barbecues and spending time enjoying the outdoors, but as temperatures rise, so does the threat of a fire sparking in or around your home. Taking the time to ensure your house and yard are protected could pay off.
The National Fire Protection Association estimated that in 2003, 80 percent of fires in the United States occurred in the home, resulting in almost 4,000 deaths. In the summer, the most common fires in the South Valley are vegetation fires that can start in homeowners’ yards and spread to open areas, said Bill Garringer, fire chief of the Hollister Fire Department.
One of the best defenses homeowners have against vegetation fires is creating fire-resistant back and front yards that include pruned, fire-resistant plants, smart landscape design and well-maintained irrigation systems.
“Keep all weeds and brush trimmed down, especially if you live in a rural area,” Garringer said. “If you live next to an orchard or open field, consider planting some fire-resistant plants along the line between your yard and the field, and keep a clearing of at least 30 feet between vegetation and your home.”
To demonstrate fire-protection principles for the yard, the Hollister Fire Department recently completed a fire-safe demonstration garden at the new fire station at Airline Highway and Union Road. The garden – similar to the California Department of Forestry’s fire-safe garden in Morgan Hill – features plants, architectural designs and irrigation tips to aid in fire protection.
One suggestion is to break up areas of grass with gravel or cement inlays that can act as fuel breaks should a fire break out. Also, if you have a shake roof, consider replacing it with a fire-resistant roof, which resists fire much better should a vegetation fire catch near your home and carry sparks through the air.
One of the most important yard-maintenance tips to help prevent fires is to keep all garbage, dead leaves and debris clear from around home, said Yvette Phillips, fire education specialist with the Gilroy Fire Department. Keep plants less than 18 inches in height and less than 30 inches in width, and make sure trees aren’t closer than 10 feet to the roof. Also, if you’re planting trees this summer, keep at least a 15-foot buffer from all electrical wires and telephone poles.
Another part of the house to remember to check on are rain gutters, Phillips said.
“It’s been a crazy summer in that we’ve had a lot of rain, which is really odd. Sometimes the leaves and tree branches accumulate in rain gutters, so it’s good to make sure those are cleaned out on a regular basis,” she said.
Although summertime fires more commonly start outside, guarding your home also includes protecting the interior. Make sure common household appliances such as electric and gas stoves are well maintained, and remember to check and change the batteries in smoke detectors regularly. Install a screen in front of fireplaces and wood stoves, and store ashes in a metal container, allowing them to cool before disposal. The same goes for outdoor barbecues.
If you live with family or friends, create an evacuation plan and make sure everyone understands it, Garringer said. Decide on a safe place to meet if a fire breaks out.
