Like many Coloradans, we too, had friends impacted by the Marschall Fire in Boulder County earlier this month. The devastation was surreal and sparked several conversations surrounding fire safety and the reality that wildfires don’t only happen in the mountains. Sitting at the base of the foothills, our community could face a similar catastrophe. As such, our team wanted to share helpful fire prevention measures for your home and for your community.
Community Preparedness
According to the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control, nearly 85% of wildfires are human-caused. They recommend residents that live in fire-prone areas prepare by developing a plan for their family to include possible evacuation of family and pets, home preparation, structure hardening and more. See below for a list of preparation measures recommended by the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control.
Rake and remove pine needles and dry leaves 5 feet from the home, as well as under decks, porches, sheds and play structures.
Remove leaves and needles from roofs and gutters.
Sweep porches and decks clear of any burnable plant material.
Move firewood piles at least 30 feet from the house, preferably uphill.
Transfer items under decks or porches to a storage area.
Cover any exposed eave or attic vents with 1/8-inch metal mesh screening.
Ensure home address signs are clearly visible from the street.
Contact your local Office of Emergency Management to register for emergency notifications and encourage your friends, family and neighbors to do the same.
Confirm at least one alternate path out of your neighborhood other than the one most commonly used and be prepared for potential evacuation requiring the alternative route.
One of the other recommendations made by the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control is to ensure that your vehicles are always in working order to ensure a quick and smooth evacuation is possible.
Check tire lug-nuts to ensure proper torque or tires can come off.
Grease trailer wheel bearings or they may overheat.
Improperly inflated tires or those in degraded condition may fail, causing the rim to drag and spark.
Don’t overload your trailer’s weight ratings; axles can bend and cause tire failure or the axle itself to fail.
Ensure trailer chains are not dragging on the ground.
Brakes worn too thin may cause metal-to-metal contact, which can cause a spark. Trailer brakes can also seize up and overheat.
Never park or drive over dry grass or brush.
Utility Vehicles (UTVs) and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) can start wildfires.
Be sure to clean out any vegetation accumulated underneath and conduct regular maintenance.
Carry a fire extinguisher (ABC 10 lb. or larger), a shovel and extra water in your vehicle if you live in (or are traveling through) wildfire prone areas. These tools can make the difference by stopping a fire before it becomes a wildfire.
Extinguish all smoking materials and dispose of ashes and butts in trash receptacles for that purpose.
If a fire starts, report it to 9-1-1 immediately.
Home Preparedness
Did you know that in less than 30 seconds a small flame can turn into a major fire with only minutes passing before your home fills up with thick black smoke and flames begin to engulf your home? Ready is a US Government website and campaign dedicated to educating and empowering the American people to prepare for, respond to and mitigate emergencies, including natural and man-made disasters. The goal of the campaign is to promote preparedness through public involvement.
According to Ready, the single most important element in preparing your home for proper fire prevention, is a working smoke alarm. Ready states that a working smoke alarm significantly increases your chances of surviving a deadly home fire. Their smoke alarm recommendations are below:
Replace batteries twice a year, unless you are using 10-year lithium batteries.
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement.
Replace the entire smoke alarm unit every 10 years or according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Never disable a smoke alarm while cooking – it can be a deadly mistake.
Audible alarms are available for visually impaired people and smoke alarms with a vibrating pad or flashing light are available for the hearing impaired.
Another element that Ready recommends when focusing on fire prevention within your home is to create and practice a fire escape plan. Their recommendations are:
Find two ways to get out of each room in the event the primary way is blocked by fire or smoke.
Make sure that windows are not stuck, screens can be taken out quickly and that security bars can be properly opened.
Practice feeling your way out of the house in the dark or with your eyes closed.
Teach children not to hide from firefighters.
If you use a walker or wheelchair, check all exits to be sure you can get through the doorways.
In addition to the above recommendations, there are several ways to secure and maintain your home in order to protect from fires that start within your home. See Ready’s list below:
Cooking
Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. Turn off the stove if you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time.
Wear short, close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking.
Position barbecue grills at least 10 feet away from siding and deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
Keep a fire extinguisher available.
Electrical and Appliance Safety
Frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old or damaged appliance cords immediately and do not run cords under rugs or furniture.
If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.
Immediately shut off, then professionally replace, light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker.
Keeping Children Safe
Take the mystery out of fire play by teaching children that fire is a tool, not a toy.
Store matches and lighters out of children's reach and sight, preferably in a locked cabinet.
Never leave children unattended near operating stoves or burning candles, even for a short time.
Fireplaces and Wood Stoves
Inspect and clean wood stove pipes and chimneys annually; check monthly for damage or obstructions.
Use a fireplace screen heavy enough to stop rolling logs and big enough to cover the entire opening of the fireplace to catch flying sparks.
Make sure the fire is completely out before leaving the house or going to bed.
Portable Space Heaters
Keep combustible objects at least three feet away from portable heating devices.
Only buy heaters evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
Check to make sure the portable heater has a thermostat control mechanism and will switch off automatically if the heater falls over.
Only use crystal clear K-1 kerosene in kerosene heaters. Never overfill it. Use the heater in a well-ventilated room away from curtains and other flammable items.
More Fire Prevention Tips
Never use a stove range or oven to heat your home.
Keep combustible and flammable liquids away from heat sources.
Portable generators should NEVER be used indoors and should only be refueled outdoors and in well ventilated areas.
Learn more about fire safety and prevention from both local and national organizations below:
https://www.jeffco.us/508/Wildfire
As a locally based, Ken Caryl home remodeling company who truly cares for our clients and their homes, we think home maintenance is of utmost importance. Please download our home maintenance checklist below.
If you or a loved one has been directly impacted by the Marschall Wildfires in Boulder County, visit the links below to access helpful resources.
https://www.bouldercounty.org/disasters/wildfires/marshall/
https://www.trust-bbb.org/a-boulder-way-forward
There are several ways to help those impacted by these wildfires. If you are interested in helping our friends up north rebuild their community, please consider donating to the Boulder County Wildfire Fund.
