Returning to a fire damaged home is a difficult thing to do. It’s hard to put aside the emotion of the moment, and visualize getting life back to normal. But there are ways to rebuild your home safer, stronger, and more resilient to future fires. Here are 7 ways to make your home safer from future fire damage.
- Choose fire resistant roofing materials, such as Class-A asphalt shingles, slate or clay tile, metal or concrete products.
- Build exterior walls from fire resistant materials such as stucco or masonry. Vinyl siding softens and melts during intense heat from a fire.
- Choose fire resistant windows. Smaller panes hold up better in their frames than large ones. Double paned windows and tempered glass are more effective than single pane. Plastic skylights are prone to melting.
- Keep gutters, eaves and roofs clear of leaves and other debris. Make sure tree limbs are not lying on the roof, and can’t easily contribute to a fire.
- 5.Don’t store dead wood next to the house. Move firewood away from your home, deck, and fencing.
- Choose landscaping carefully. Don’t allow vegetation to build up close to the home. Dry plants can easily contribute to fueling a fire.
- If you are living in an area with abundant tree life, thin selected trees and clear the dead. Sparks can easily catch fire on dry wood, and can quickly move back into your home.
