Washington Insurance Council

                  Consumer Alert

Contact: Karl Newman, Executive Director      
Release Date: 7/10/2000

Washington Insurance Council    
Phone: (206) 624-3330
Fax: (206) 624-1975
karl.newman@wa-ic.org

Protect yourself from wildfires 

SEATTLE – In the wake of the recent wildfire that stormed across the Hanford area, Washington residents who live on or near high-risk wildfire lands are urged to take precautions during these hot and dry summer days.

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.

·         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, include descriptions and serial numbers.

·         Landscape your yard to reduce damage – Clear brush from within 30 to 100 feet from your home.  Keep your yard and 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, decks and other exterior structures 30 feet or more from your home.

·         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, stove pipes and attic openings.  Trim trees that overhang the house.

For a free copy of WIC’s brochure “How to Protect Yourself from Pacific Northwest Wildfires,” call 1 (800) 664-4942.

The Washington Insurance Council is a non-profit, consumer education organization funded by member insurance companies.

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