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Prepare & Repair: What You Need to Know to Make it Through SoCal’s Wildfires

On September 1, 2017 an intense wildfire broke out in Burbank, CA. As a part of the Burbank community, the team at RWT Design & Construction wishes everyone a speedy recovery from  any damages and casualties.

 Wildfires can happen anywhere, and they can destroy a lot of things — infrastructures, businesses, agriculture, natural resources, and even your very own home. Wildfires can either start from natural causes, such as lightning, but mostly from humans–cigarettes, outdoor burning, electricity, etc.

Although wildfires are unplanned, definitely unwanted, and can occur anytime of the year, there are seasons when the potential for wildfires to occur is higher. The potential for a wildfire is higher when there is little to no rainfall — this makes grass and trees dry, and in turn burn more easily. Another factor in spreading fire would be high winds. It is best to find out what your community’s wildfire season is so you can be prepared.

Before wildfire season, here are the things you can do to prepare:

• Build an emergency preparedness kit. This should include essentials such as flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies.
• Stay tuned to your phones, TV, or radio, for updates on the weather, and for any instructions your community might have.
• Search for “alerts” available in your area — these are text notifications or e-mails that keep you updated on emergencies near you. It is best to look for these alerts before anything even happens, so you can prepare immediately.
• Aside from preparing your emergency kits, you also need to prepare your home. Create an area that is around 30 feet away from your home that is free from anything that can burn. You may work on your neighbors on this — you can prepare spaces up to 200 feet around your different houses where there is thin vegetation, so that trees do not touch each other, so as not to build larger fires.
• Fill containers in your home with water.
• Prepare a list of your home’s contents, and review your homeowner’s insurance policy.

During a wildfire, here’s what you should do:

• Be alert and ready to evacuate immediately.
• If there are no instructions from your community, call 911.
• If you’re told to evacuate, do so immediately.
• If you or someone you are with has been burned, call 911 or seek help immediately. You may cool or cover the burns to reduce infection or further injury.

 After a wildfire:

• Make sure to only return home when authorities say it is safe.
• Be careful when entering the home. Evacuate immediately when you smell smoke.
• Be sure that the water you’re using to clean your home is not contaminated. Also make sure your water is clean when you are brushing your teeth, washing the dishes, preparing food, etc.
• Take a photo of the damages done to your home by the wildfire for insurance purposes.
• Call home restoration experts such as RWT Design & Construction if you want to repair and remodel your home. If your home has been damaged and you would like to discuss repair and remodeling, you may call our Burbank team at 818-841-8600 and we can discuss your options. We can restore your home into its former glorious state.