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 Washington Insurance Council
Consumer Alert
Contact:
Karl Newman, President
Darrin Sanger, Communications Director
Washington Insurance Council
Phone: (206) 624-3330
Fax: (206) 624-1975
karl.newman@wiconline.org
darrin.sanger@wiconline.org
Wildfires: Protect yourself
& home
SEATTLE - In the wake of wildfires
storming across parts of Arizona and Oregon, Washington residents near
high-risk lands are urged to take preventive measures.
"The loss of life and property is tragic,"
said Karl Newman, president of Washington Insurance Council. "The good
news is that you can reduce your risks dramatically by taking some simple
precautions."
Wildfires charred more than 220,000 acres
of Washington wildland and many homes in 2001. The Washington Insurance
Council offers these tips to help residents protect their families' lives,
land and assets:
- Be accessible and visible - Make sure that your house number
can be seen from the street. If firefighters can't find you, they
can't help you.
- Fireproof your rooftop - The roof is the most vulnerable
part of your home when it comes to fires. Replace wood-shake roofs
with less flammable material if possible. Clear needles and leaves
from gutters and roof regularly. Install screens on chimneys, stovepipes
and attic openings. Trim trees that overhang the house.
- Defensible Spacing - Clear brush 30 to 100 feet from your
home. Keep your yard well groomed and watered. Remove old stumps and
weak or diseased trees from your property. If you notice tree branches
touching power lines, contact your local utility company. Build wood
fences and other exterior structures 30 feet or more from your home.
- Home interior precautions - Replace batteries in smoke detectors
in every room of your home at least twice a year. Maintain a written
inventory of all of your possessions including descriptions and serial
numbers.
For a free brochure, How to Protect Yourself
from Pacific Northwest Wildfires, call (206) 624-3330 or (800) 664-4942.
The Washington Insurance Council is a
nonprofit, consumer education organization funded by member insurance
companies.
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