Sept. 30, 2020
Protect Your Home From Wildfires: Take These Steps to Mitigate Your Risk
Wildfires can travel at speeds up to 14 miles per hour. Vegetation lossand erosion from wildfires can even cause flooding, creating problems with transportation, gas, power and communication.But homeowners can reduce their wildfire and flooding risks by “hardening” their homes and creating a defensible space around their homes.
TOP CONSIDERATIONS
Wildfires can happen anywhere, anytime, either naturally or from human error.Wildfire risks increase with little rain and high winds.Wildfires are most common in theWest,where heatanddrought create favorable wildfire conditions. However, uncontrolled fires can and have occurred in most of the 50 states. According to the National Interagency Fire Center(NIFC),there were wildfires reported in every state, except Delaware,Puerto Rico andtheDistrict of Columbia, in 2018.If you are under a wildfire warning, get to safety immediately.If you are trapped, call 911.
Flying embers can destroy homes.According totheInsuranceInstitute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), during wildfires, approximately 90% of buildings damaged were first ignited by embers or other fires set by embers. Because of the danger of embers,close proximityof homes and presence of combustible featuresincrease the chances of a home going up in flames.
Homeowners policies usually cover the repair or replacement of the built structure of your home and items damaged by flames, smoke, sootand ash.Your insurance company may ask for an inventory of the items in your home at the time of the loss. Use the оٷ home inventoryapp as an easy way to prepare. Homeowners insurance is not designed to cover damages to your car. A comprehensive car insurance policy will insure your car against fire damage.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
There are steps you can take to protect your home from wildfires.
Createdefensible spaces.Defensible space is the buffer you create between your home or a building and the grass, trees, shrubsand any wildland area surrounding it.According to,defensible space should be up to 200 feet from a structure.Create defensible space around trailers,recreational vehicles (RVs)and storage sheds. Maintaining a defensible space is essential to improving your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire.
Use noncombustible materialsinyour homeand structures.Maintain 6-inch ground-to-sidingclearance,andconsider noncombustible siding. Use Class A fire-rated roofing products.Use noncombustible fences and gates. Burning fencing can generate embers and cause direct flame contact to your home.Use 1/8-inchmesh to cover vents, and box in open-eaves to createsoffitedeaves. Use multi-pane, tempered glass windows, and close them when a wildfire threatens. Use deck boards that comply withfor new construction in wildfire-proneareas, andremove combustibles under deck.Costs vary for retrofitting existing homes,with some components,such as roofs and walls,potentially being expensive. There are smaller projects that can be implemented at relatively low costs like guttersanddefensible landscaping. In terms of new construction,by theIBHSand Headwater Economics shows there is not much difference in building costs.
Clear debris.Clear debris from your roof and gutters regularly, as debris can be ignited by wind-blown embers. Gutter covers should be noncombustible. Remove shrubs under trees, prune branches that overhang your roof, and remove dead vegetation around your home.
TOP THREE THINGS TO REMEMBER
- Wildfires can happen anywhere and can be started by humans, orthey canoccur naturally. They are not limited to any one geographic area.
- Harden your home to mitigate your risks and protect your home from wildfires.
- Make sure your homeowners insurance policy is up to date,and understand what is covered and what is not. Create a home inventory of your possessions.
About the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
As part of our state-based system of insurance regulation in the United States, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (оٷ) provides expertise, data, and analysis for insurance commissioners to effectively regulate the industry and protect consumers. The U.S. standard-setting organization is governed by the chief insurance regulators from the 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories. Through the оٷ, state insurance regulators establish standards and best practices, conduct peer reviews, and coordinate regulatory oversight. оٷ staff supports these efforts and represents the collective views of state regulators domestically and internationally.