Skip to main content

Ojai Fire Guy

Menu

PROTECT YOUR HOME

Fire hardening (aka home hardening) consists of measures that help a building survive exposure to fire — especially wildfires.

Part A

EXTERIOR / HOME HARDENING

01     Installing a Class-A fire rated roof

02    Using ember-resistant attic and foundation vents

03    Keeping all gutters and the roof clear of leaves and other debris

04    Enclosing eaves and soffits

05    Sealing the gap area between gutters and fascia boards

06    Installing dual-pane tempered glass windows

07    Using noncombustible decks and/or fencing near the home, especially where physically attached to the property

08    Creating a 5-foot, preferably 10-foot, noncombustible zone around the entire building

09    Removing vegetation immediately adjacent to, or hanging over, the structure

Embers, driven by high winds, ignite combustible materials such as leaves in gutters or on rooftops and surrounding brush, causing a structure to catch fire

INTERIOR FIRE PREVENTION

This site is primarily dedicated to external wildfire threats. The following internal fire-prevention information is also worth putting into practice.

  • Every bedroom
  • Hallways leading to bedrooms
  • One in the garage
  • One in the laundry area
  • Unplug appliances such as battery chargers and toasters when they are not in use.
  • I use a timer when charging power-tool batteries so they are not left charging unattended or overnight.
  • Keep combustible items away from the stove and oven.
  • Turn pot and pan handles inward so they cannot be knocked off the stove.
  • Drain food and turn the burners off before removing pans.
  • Never place metal in the microwave.
  • Avoid plastics that can melt.
  • Do not overcook food — overcooking is a common cause of microwave fires.
  • Do not use laundry appliances when away from home, especially the dryer.
  • Clear lint traps after every load.
  • Ensure the lint vent is not blocked.
  • Clear dryer vent lines at least every six months.
  • Never leave candles unattended.
  • Keep candles away from combustible materials.
  • Do not smoke in bed, or anywhere a person may fall asleep
  • Oily rags can ignite on their own — store and dispose of them properly.
  • Store gasoline and fuel containers safely and away from the home.
  • Never leave a portable heater unattended.
  • Keep combustible materials well away from heaters.
  • Use correctly sized fire screens.
  • Make sure flues are open.
  • Never leave a fire unattended.
  • Store matches and firewood safely.
  • Have wood-burning fireplace chimneys professionally cleaned at least annually.
  • Keep extinguishers accessible in kitchens and hallways.
  • Have more than one extinguisher, positioned so that a person does not have to pass through a burning area to reach one.

Critical Safety Instruction

If a fire cannot be IMMEDIATELY extinguished with a fire extinguisher, GET OUT OF THE HOUSE and call 911.

Prioritize children and pets, and leave rather than attempting to retrieve valuables.