FAST FACTS: Avoid Brush Fire Damage To Your Home
(CBS4)-- The Florida Division of Forestry has a list of tips you can follow to prevent brush fires from burning your property. Here are some of the tips:
- Create a "defensible space" of at least 30 feet around your house. Within this area, grass should be mowed regularly and widely spaced plants with high moisture content should be given priority.
- Prune tree limbs within the defensible space to a height of 15 feet so lower limbs will not become ladder fuels that can carry a fire to the roof or soffits.
- Keep the roof and gutters free of accumulated leaves so the roof cannot be set afire by firebrands or embers carried by the wind.
- Keep a shovel, rake and ladder in a readily accessible location, and 50 to 100 feet of garden hose attached to an outside faucet.
- Make sure the home address is clearly visible at the street or road on an non-combustible sign so firefighters can quickly find the home in an emergency.
- Keep tree limbs at least 15 feet away from chimney outlets.
- Replace wood shingle or wood shake roofs with fire-retardant shingles, metal or tile roof.
Fore more info on preventing forest fires and protecting property, visit the Florida Division of Forestry Website.
