Homeowners "Inside and Out"
Firewise Checklist

1. Kitchen

Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen
Maintain electric and gas stoves in good operating condition
Keep baking soda on hand to extinguish stove-top grease fires
Move the handles of pots and pans containing hot liquids away from the front of the stove
Place flammable curtains and towels away from burners on the stove
Store matches and lighters out of the reach of children
Properly store flammable liquids in approved containers and away from ignition sources such as pilot lights

2. Living Room

Install a screen on your fireplace
Store the ashes from your fireplace (and barbecue) in a non-combustible container and dispose of only when cold
Clean fireplace chimneys and flues at least once a year

3. Hallway

Install smoke detectors between living and sleeping areas
Test smoke detectors monthly and replace batteries twice a year, when clocks are changed in the spring and fall
Make sure that electrical outlets are designed to handle appliance loads
Install child safety plugs (caps) on electrical outlets
Replace electrical cords that do not work properly, have loose connections or are frayed

4. Bedroom

5. Bathroom

Disconnect hot appliances such as curling irons and electric irons when done; store in a safe location until cool
Keep flammable items such as towels away from wall and floor heaters

6. Garage

Mount a fire extinguisher in the garage
Have tools such as a shovel, hoe, rake and bucket available for use in a wildfire emergency
Install a solid door with self-closing hinges between living areas and the garage
Dispose of oily rags in metal containers
Store all combustibles away from ignition sources such as water heaters
Disconnect electrical tools and appliances when not in use
Allow hot tools such as glue guns and soldering irons to cool before storing

Disaster Preparedness

Store at least a three-day supply of food that does not require refrigeration and generally does not need cooking
Store at least a three-day supply of drinking water
Store a portable radio, flashlight, emergency cooking equipment, portable lanterns and batteries
Maintain first aid supplies to treat the injured until help arrives
Keep a list of valuables to take with you in an emergency; if possible, store these valuables together to save time later
Consider a portable generator to supply power to lights and cooking appliances
Have a contingency plan to enable family members to contact each other
Make sure that all family members are ready to protect themselves with STOP, DROP AND ROLL

1. Roof

Remove dead branches overhanging your roof
Remove any branches within 10 feet of your chimney
Clean all dead leaves and needles from your roof and gutters
Install a roof that meets the fire resistance classification of "Class B" or better
Cover your chimney outlet and stovepipe with a nonflammable screen of 1/2 inch or smaller mesh

2. Construction

Build your home away from ridge tops, canyons and areas between high points on a ridge
Build your home at least 30 feet from your property line
Use fire resistive building materials
Enclose the underside of balconies and above ground decks with fire resistive materials
Limit the size and number of windows in your home that face large areas of vegetation
Install only dual-paned or triple-paned windows

3. Landscape

Create a "defensible space" by modifying flammable vegetation at least 75 feet around all structures
On steep slopes, modify flammable vegetation out a 100 feet or more
Space native trees and shrubs at least 10 feet apart
Prune branches of remaining trees 8-10 feet above ground fuel
Choose ornamental landscaping plants that are fire resistive
Reduce the number of trees in heavily wooded areas
Maintain all plants by regularly removing dead branches, leaves and needles

4. Yard

Stack woodpiles at least 30 feet from all structures and clear away flammable vegetation within 10 feet of woodpiles
Locate LPG tanks (butane and propane) at least 30 feet from any structure and surround them with 10 feet of clearance
Remove all stacks of construction materials, pine needles, leaves and other debris from your yard
Contact your local fire department to see if open burning is allowed in your area; if so, obtain a burning permit

5. Emergency Water Supply

Establish and maintain an emergency water supply, that meets fire department standards, through one of the following:
- a community water/hydrant system
- a cooperative emergency storage tank with neighbors
Clearly mark all emergency water sources
Create easy firefighter access to your closest emergency water source
If your water comes from a well, consider an emergency generator to operate the pump during a power failure

6. Access

Identify at least two exit routes from your neighborhood
Construct roads that allow two-way traffic
Design road width, grade and curves to allow access for large emergency vehicles
Construct driveways to allow large emergency equipment to reach your house
Design bridges to carry heavy emergency vehicles, including bulldozers carried on large trucks
Post clear road signs to show traffic restrictions such as dead-end roads, and weight and height limitations
Make sure dead-end roads and long driveways have turnaround areas wide enough for emergency vehicles
Construct turnouts along one-way roads
Clear flammable vegetation at least 10 feet from roads and five feet from driveways
Cut back overhanging tree branches above roads
Construct fire barriers, such as greenbelts, parks, golf courses and athletic fields
Make sure that your street is named or numbered, and a sign is visibly posted at each street intersection
Post your house address at the beginning of your driveway, or on your house if it is easily visible from the road

Outside

Designate an emergency meeting place outside your home
Practice emergency exit drills regularly
Make sure that electric service lines, fuse boxes and circuit breaker panels are installed and maintained as prescribed by code