IF YOU HAVE TIME when advised to prepare to evacuate:.
- Shut off natural gas and propane.
- Place metal (not wooden) ladders against the side of your house to help firefighters defend your home.
- Remove combustibles (patio furniture, firewood, etc.) within 30 feet of your home.
- Put on any protective clothing and gear you are not already wearing (heavy shoes/boots, and clothing with natural fibers – not synthetics).
- Close windows and doors to the house to prevent sparks and embers from blowing inside.
- Close all doors inside the house to prevent draft.
- Close or cover outside attic, eaves, basement vents and chimney flues.
- Disconnect automatic garage door openers and leave garage windows and doors unlocked.
- Take down drapes and curtains, and close all blinds and shutters to deflect heat.
- Move overstuffed furniture away from windows and glass doors.
- Leave exterior and interior lights on to offer visibility to responders.
- Fill all bathtubs, sinks and other containers with water to deflect heat.
If you’ve been told to evacuate you should leave immediately! Do not take the time to prepare your home.