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FEMA List of things to do as
fire approaches
The recent brush fires in Riverview
prompted us to start
thinking seriously about
what we should do if our
home is threatened by a
brush fire. Many of us
in Lake St. Charles live
side-by-side with
conservation areas, trees,
and fields of brush.
John put together the
following list and we wanted
to share it with our
neighbors:
Here is a
list of things that might
help. The three that caught
my attention were 1) "turn
off the gas," I am not sure
I know how to do that, hmmm
must go outside and look
around, or maybe in the
garage, 2) put a ladder in
plain view, and 3) turn on
lights in every room.
What to
do Before a Wildfire
If you see a wildfire,
call 9-1-1. Don't assume
that someone else has
already called. Describe the
location of the fire, speak
slowly and clearly, and
answer any questions asked
by the dispatcher.
Before the Fire
Approaches Your House
- Evacuate. Evacuate
your pets and all family
members who are not
essential to preparing
the home. Anyone with
medical or physical
limitations and the
young and the elderly
should be evacuated
immediately.
- Wear Protective
Clothing.
- Remove Combustibles.
Clear items that will
burn from around the
house, including wood
piles, lawn furniture,
barbecue grills, tarp
coverings, etc. Move
them outside of your
defensible space.
- Close/Protect
Openings. Close outside
attic, eaves and
basement vents, windows,
doors, pet doors, etc.
Remove flammable drapes
and curtains. Close all
shutters, blinds or
heavy non-combustible
window coverings to
reduce radiant heat.
- Close Inside
Doors/Open Damper. Close
alt doors inside the
house to prevent draft.
Open the damper on your
fireplace, but close the
fireplace screen.
- Shut Off Gas. Shut
off any natural gas,
propane or fuel oil
supplies at the source.
- Water. Connect
garden hoses. Fill any
pools, hot tubs, garbage
cans, tubs or other
large containers with
water.
- Pumps. If you have
gas-powered pumps for
water, make sure they
are fueled and ready.
- Ladder. Place a
ladder against the house
in clear view.
- Car. Back your car
into the driveway and
roll up the windows.
- Garage Doors.
Disconnect any automatic
garage door openers so
that doors can still be
opened by hand if the
power goes out. Close
all garage doors.
- Valuables. Place
valuable papers,
mementos and anything
"you can't live without"
inside the car in the
garage, ready for quick
departure. Any pets
still with you should
also be put in the car.
Preparing to
Leave
- Lights. Turn on
outside lights and leave
a light on in every room
to make the house more
visible in heavy smoke.
- Don't Lock Up. Leave
doors and windows closed
but unlocked. It may be
necessary for
firefighters to gain
quick entry into your
home to fight fire. The
entire area will be
isolated and patrolled
by sheriff's deputies or
police.
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