Published: July 1, 2013

In the unfortunate event you are to leave your property, these tips may come in handy as you prepare your home and your family.  

  • Before you leave
  1. Alert family and neighbors.
  2. Dress in appropriate clothing (clothing made from natural fibers, such as cotton, and work boots)
  3. Have goggles and a dry bandanna or particle mask handy.
  4. Ensure that you have your emergency supply kit on hand that includes all necessary items, such as a battery powered radio, spare batteries, emergency contact numbers and ample drinking water
  5. Stay tuned to your TV or local radio stations for updates, or check the fire department website
  6. Remain close to your house, drink water and keep an eye on your family and pets until you leave.
  • Indoor checklist
  1. Shut all windows and doors, leaving them unlocked
  2. Remove flammable window shades, lightweight curtains and close metal shutters.
  3. Move flammable furniture to the center of the room, away from the windows and doors
  4. Shut off gas at the meter. Turn off pilot lights
  5. Leave your lights on so firefighters can see your house under smoky conditions
  6. Shut off the air conditioning
  • Outdoor checklist
  1. Gather up flammable items from the exterior of the house and bring them inside (patio furniture, children s toys, door mats etc) or place them in your pool
  2. Turn off propane tanks
  3. Do not leave sprinklers on or water running-they can waste critical water pressure
  4. Leave exterior lights on
  5. Back cards in to the driveway.  Shut doors and roll up windows
  6. Have a ladder available
  7. Patrol your property and extinguish all small fires until you leave
  8. Seal attic and ground vents with pre-cut plywood or commercial dseals if time permits
  • If you are unable to leave
  1. Shelter away from outside walls
  2. Bring garden hoses inside house so embers don’t destroy them
  3. Patrol inside your home for spot fires and extinguish them
  4. Wear long sleeves and long pants made of natural fibers such as cotton
  5. Stay hydrated
  6. Ensure you can exit the home if it catches fire (remember if its hot inside the house it is four to five times hotter outside)
  7. Fill sinks and tubs for an emergency water supply
  8. Place wet towels under doors to keep smoke and embers out
  9. After the fire has passed, check your roof and extinguish any fires, sparkes or embers.
  10. Check inside the attic for hidden embers
  11. Patrol your property and extinguish small fires
  12. If there are fires that you cannot extinguish with a small amount of water or in a  short time call 911.
  • Emergency supplies
  1. THREE DAY SUPPLY OF WATER
  2. NON PERISHABLE FOOD FOR ALL FAMILY MEMBERS AND PETS (3 DAY SUPPLY)
  3. FIRST AID KIT
  4. FLASHLIGHT
  5. EXTRA SET OF CAR KEYS CREDIT CARDS CASH OR TRAVELERS CHECKS
  6. SANITATION SUPPLIES
  7. EXTRA EYEGLASSES OR LENSES
  8. IMPORTANT FAMILY DOCUMENTS AND CONTACT NUMBERS
  9. MAP MARKED WITH EVACUATION ROUTES
  10. PRESCRIPTIONS OR SPECIAL MEDS
  11. FAMILY PHOTOS AND OTHER IRREPLACEABLE ITEMS
  12. EASILY CARRIED VALUABLES
  13. PERSONAL COMPUTERS (HARD DRIVES)
  14. CHARGERS FOR CELL PHONES
  15. KEEP A PAIR OF OLD SHOES AND A FLASHLIGHT HANDY IN CASE OF A SUDDEN EVACUATION AT NIGHT