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HOW TO HELP PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY FROM WILDFIRES

Each year, wildfires ravage vast swathes of forest, grassland, and prairie throughout the United States. These unplanned and fast-moving fires can damage or destroy homes, businesses, and other property in their path, especially in rural or mountainous areas. While it's impossible to eliminate your risk, there are steps you can take to help protect your property from wildfires.

If you receive a wildfire warning (sometimes called a Red Flag Warning), always follow the guidance of local authorities.

PREPARING YOUR PROPERTY FOR WILDFIRES

Understand wildfire risks in your area. Check the National Risk Index to see how your area’s wildfire risk compares to the rest of the country.
Create a defensible space around your home or other buildings by removing combustible materials. For minimally-exposed buildings with light surrounding vegetation, clear at least five feet of space on all sides. In areas prone to wildfires and with heavy vegetation, clearing a space of up to 300 feet can help provide greater protection.
Sign up to receive wildfire alerts Download the FEMA app to get real-time alerts from the National Weather Service. Your community may also have an early-warning system, so check with local authorities about how to participate. Finally, be aware of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA).
Create emergency communication and evacuation plans. Plan and practice two ways out of your neighborhood in the eventyour primary route is blocked. Review these with your family and/or employees. Include pets, which are especially vulnerable during wildfires.
Select fire-resistant building materials (if possible) and regularly clear flammable debris from your gutters, yard, and surrounding property.
Assemble an emergency kit with essential supplies. Pack three days of food, water, medicine, and hygiene products per person. Include a flashlight, first aid kit, local map, and other lightweight survival gear. If you need to leave your home without warning, a pre-packed disaster kit can help you and your loved ones stay more comfortable.

WHEN A WILDFIRE IS IN YOUR AREA

Follow local and national alerts for wildfire emergency updates and instructions. Local radio may still be available if you lose internet access.
Leave as early as possible before you’re told to evacuate. Leaving ahead of time helps keep roads clear for firefighters and other emergency responders. Remember to bring your disaster kit.
Close and protect your home’s windows, doors, and other openings. This helps prevent embers from entering your home and possibly starting a fire.
Maintain air quality if told to shelter in place. Smoke inhalation is also dangerous, and air quality during and after a wildfire can be poor. Keep indoor air cleaner by circulating air with a fan or air conditioner*. Wear face coverings (such as an N95 mask) that filter particulates.
*If you do not have air conditioning and it is too hot to stay inside with closed windows, seek shelter elsewhere if possible.
If trapped, call 9-1-1 and give your location. Be aware that emergency services may be delayed or unable to respond. Turn on all your lights to help rescuers find you.

WHAT TO DO AFTER A WILDFIRE

Do not return home until authorities say it is safe to do so.
Use extreme caution when entering burned areas. Avoid hot ash, charred trees, smoldering debris, and live embers. The ground may contain heat pockets that can burn you or spark another fire.
Wet debris when cleaning to help minimize breathing dust particles.
Contact your healthcare provider if you need medical attention. Call 911 if you need immediate help, though be aware that emergency services may be overwhelmed (or phone and internet services down) in the aftermath of a wildfire.
Wear leather gloves and heavy-soled shoes to protect hands and feet.
Document property damage with photographs. Review your home inventory to assess the extent of your losses, if any.

HOW TO PROTECT OUTDOOR WORKERS DURING WILDFIRE SEASON

Heat and flames are the most immediate dangers of wildfires but not the only ones. Smoke, which contains fine particulates that can damage the respiratory tract, can drift hundreds of miles from the location of the burn. While seniors and young children are particularly vulnerable, anyone who works outside, such as construction workers, is at risk. To help protect outdoor workers during wildfire season, Scott Smith, Selective’s director of safety management, suggests that employers:

Adjust work schedules to shift workers to indoor work temporarily.
Keep all windows closed for indoor work and only run air handling systems with mechanical filtering.
Reduce the length of work shifts and physically demanding work requiring higher breathing rates.
Educate workers about wildfire smoke hazards and encourage them to speak up if air quality or symptoms worsen.
Offer NIOSH-approved respirators, such as N95 masks.

WILDFIRE SAFETY STARTS NOW

Wildfires often begin unnoticed, and every second counts if one heads your way. Take action today to help protect yourself, your family, your employees, and your property from wildfires.

If you experience a loss due to a wildfire, you can start your claim online or on the MySelective mobile app. You can also reach Selective at 866-455-9969 or contact your agent.