Home Hardening

Low Cost Home Hardening Ideas

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• Sign up for a Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) inspection: https://www.firesafesantacruz.org/HIZ

• Blow debris from roofs and rain gutters multiple times per year

• Clear all items that could catch fire from decks (both above and below)

• Cut back any plant materials that come within 10 feet of the building

 

Focus on the First 5 Feet

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It's the area closest to your house, including plants, decks, outdoor furniture, and the outside walls and coverings. This area is most vulnerable and should be more aggressively maintained for fire resistance.

• Remove combustible outdoor furniture. Replace with metal or non-combustible varieties.

• Replace jute or natural fiber doormats with heavy rubber or metal grates.

• Remove or relocate all combustible materials including garbage and recycling containers, lumber, trash, and patio accessories.

• Clean all fallen leaves and needles.

• No vegetation is recommended within 5 feet of any structure.

• Remove tree limbs that extend into this zone. Fire-prone tree varieties (such as bay and eucalyptus) should be removed if they extend into this zone.

• Do not store firewood, lumber, or combustibles here, even (especially) under decks or overhangs. Move stored combustibles inside or at least 30 feet from any structure.

• Use only inorganic, non-combustible mulches such as stone or gravel.

• Hardscaping is strongly recommended around the base of structures.

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Other Considerations

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There are other actions you should take to protect your home in the event of a wildfire:

• Consider having multiple garden hoses that are long enough to reach all areas of your home and other structures on your property.

• Have available in your garage a fire extinguisher, tools (e.g., shovels, rakes, buckets), and extra garden hoses and nozzles available for fire emergencies.

• Remember that firefighters may need to locate your home quickly at night, during a storm, or in smoky conditions. Help them find your home by making your address clearly visible from the road.

• California requires by law that address numbers be a minimum of four inches, and be placed on a contrasting background.

 

For more information on home hardening, see Fire Safe Marin's web site: https://firesafemarin.org/harden-your-home/