Realtors and Builders get a lot of good information through the many Builder and Real Estate organizations that help us assist our clients/customers. One article I read stands out with me due to winter approaching and I wanted to share some of the key points from it. You can read the complete article at their website, houselogic.com.

No home is totally secure from wildfires, but you can take some measures to help repel a potential fire heading your way. Some of these items are just good practices for safety too.

1) Make sure you have working Smoke Detectors. Good practice is to set a certain date that you can test and replace the batteries annually. 2) Have a connected garden hose nearby with running water, bucket, and shovel just in case you need to dig a trench or assist with putting the fire out. Have a couple working fire extinguishers. 3) Remove debris from gutters, porches, and lawn. This means leaves, fallen branches, and any other debris that would ignite or fuel a fire. 4) Green plants around your home are less likely to catch fire from embers. So keep them watered. 5) Remove low tree branches (those lower than 6 feet). Fires tend to start low and rise. 6) Remove tree limbs that extend within 10 feet of any chimney opening. And cover chimneys and vents with flame-retardant mesh. 7) Where do you have that bar-b-q pit? Make sure it is not too close to your home, trees, or anything else that the flames or embers can ignite. 8) Create a 100 foot perimeter around your home, free of leaves or anything else that can fuel fire/wildfires. 9) Wood mulch can also be an issue. Think about where you are using it. Good idea not to spread directly against the house. 10) If you have a wood fence around your home, think about replacing the section attached to the home with metal or other nonflammable fencing materials. This might be a good place for a metal gate. 11) Windows should be double paned or tempered glass. Wood frame windows are more vulnerable to fire; you might want to consider going with the vinyl models if possible. 12) Wood shingles on a roof are the most flammable. Think about using materials like asphalt shingles, metal, tile, stone, etc. when replacing or building. 13) For siding on your home, think about some materials that are less combustible such as concrete, stucco, stone, or brick. 14) Building a fire in your fireplace or fire pit needs to be done in a controlled manner. You sure don’t want to build too big of a fire in either place or use wood like cedar that could send more embers out. Use a screen on your fireplace. 15) Finally, make sure you are not burning those burn piles during a burn ban. And don’t have those burn piles too close to your homes.

Most important, if you are in the path of a wildfire or your home has actually caught fire, safety first. You might want to have an evacuation plan formed, and go over it with your family.

For all your real estate and building needs or questions, call Debbie at 713-818-6658 or 830-833-4249, or email debbie@vallonerealestate.net.