How to Prepare for Wildfire Season
Wildfires are devastating events that ravage the west coast and southwestern parts of the United States every year. It’s extremely important for people who live in dry and hot areas to know how to prepare for the wildfire season – both how to prevent wildfires and what to do in the event that one spreads in your area.
Here are 6 ways you can practice fire preparedness this year to keep yourself, your family, and your community safe during wildfire season.
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Have a fire preparedness plan
The very first thing you need to do is have an emergency plan that everyone in your house knows and follows. Sign everyone up for emergency mobile alerts, have phone numbers written down in case you can’t charge your cell phones, and be aware for the evacuation routes in your area. -
Have a household AND individual emergency kits
It’s important to have a household emergency kit that has everything you’ll need to survive at home, but you’ll also want to make sure each individual in your house has their own emergency kit in the event that you have to evacuate. It might even be a good idea to have an extra emergency kit, in case there’s a visitor at your house when disaster strikes. -
Have a backup power source
There’s a good chance that your power will go out or that you’ll need to bring power with you when you evacuate. Keep your cellphones and other emergency electronics charged with the Duracell PowerSource Portable Power Station. It will keep everyone connected at home or on the go, if needed. -
Protect your home
Make your home as fire-proof as possible by “hardening” your home. This essentially means removing and/or replacing materials that are easily flammable like plush patio furniture, wooden decks, wooden siding and shingles, dried plant material, etc. Tile, metal, or composite roofs, composite deck material, and dual-pane windows will all do well to protect your home from wildfires. -
Protect your lungs
Wildfire smoke can be incredibly dangerous, especially to those with sensitive respiratory systems. Have at least one N95 mask per household member and keep an air purifier on-hand. If the power goes out, you can always use a portable power source to keep your air purifier running so everyone can breathe easy. -
Stay on top of the news
Have your radio with fully charged batteries in your emergency kit and keep an ear to it for developing news. You’ll want to be informed on mandatory evacuations, wildfire location, the status of the air quality, and gather as much advice from experts as possible.
Don’t be caught without power this wildfire season! The Duracell PowerSource Portable Power Station will make sure everyone has their cell phones charged up so your family can stay connected in the event that you are separated before or during a wildfire. A portable power source can also offer much-needed entertainment during troubling times, as it is strong enough to power a television and DVD player. Duracell will keep you prepared.