Atascadero SERVPRO Water Damage And Fire Damage Restoration Specialists Release Report On Reducing Fire Risk 

SERVPRO Atascadero water damage and fire damage restoration specialists have released a report this week on how to reduce the risk of fire as summer approaches.

As temperatures rise, especially in dry, warm climates such as Atascadero, fire risk increases as well. Entire communities need to work together, especially those in fire-dependent ecosystems, creating fire-wise solutions that will help to prevent fires from happening and to ensure that when they do, that firefighters can effectively extinguish them.

“For those of us that live in fire-dependent habitats such as Atascadero, it’s not if a fire will occur, it’s when,” said Atascadero SERVPRO owner Joe Powers.

Follow these tips to help reduce the risk of fire, and when a fire does occur, that it is possible for firefighters effectively combat them.

Check smoke detectors

Working smoke detectors can save lives. What may start as a small kitchen fire can quickly spread. Make sure to keep smoke detectors fully charged and operational.

Have an EDITH

EDITH stands for: Exit drills in the home. Cal Fire suggests sketching a floor plan of the home and then creating an escape plan with arrows that map out the primary and secondary escape routes. Then, have a drill and test out the routes.

Create a firebreak around your home

A firebreak is a gap in vegetation that will stop or slow the spread of a wildfire. Having flammable vegetation directly surrounding a home will make it extremely difficult for firefighters to save it.

The Atascadero Fire Chief Kurt Stone released the following standards for clearance requirements of vegetative growth:

• Maximum height of 4 inches
• Located within 100 feet of any building or structure, or to the property line, whichever is nearer
• Located within 50 feet from the edge of any improved roadway
• Located within 50 feet from each property line
• Located within 10 feet on each side of driveways

Firewise landscaping

Replacing plants that are prone to fire with plants that are more fire resistant can dramatically reduce the risk of fire around a home. Some fantastic fire resistant plant options include all species of ice plant, wild strawberry, carnations, and all succulents. In general, look for moist, supple leaves, and plants with little sap production. Keep in mind that fire-resistant plants can still ignite, but they can reduce the risk of fire and make it easier for firefighters to access the home during the event of a fire.

About SERVPRO Atascadero water and fire damage restoration specialists

SERVPRO Atascadero is the leader in disaster, fire, and water damage restoration. They are available 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Their goal is to make it, “like it never happened.”