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FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | SEPTEMBER 2015 19 Emergency Preparedness Committee Earthquakes are not the only disaster we need to be prepared for living here in Four Seasons, wind, flood, severe cold weather and wildfires are also concerns. Of these hazards, wildfires have affected Four Seasons frequently, we have had several fires near our community in the last few years. As our community builds and becomes larger, we become more vulnerable to the wild land around us. Here are some steps you can take to lower the risk of injury or damage. BefoRe A WildfiRe • Know your risk. Learn how often wildfires occur in your area. Know when there is the greatest risk and take safety precautions. • Evaluate your surroundings and landscape accordingly. • Take pictures of the interior of your house, open all closets and cabinets and take a picture of the contents, store the pictures in a safety deposit box or with a family member. • Clear dead plants away from your house. A 50 foot clearance is recommended. • Make sure you test your smoke alarms periodically to ensure they are working properly. Replace the batteries yearly. • The emergency kit you have for earthquakes will be sufficient for wildfire as well. • Decide in advance what you will take with you. Keep personal belongings to a minimum. • Create an emergency plan. Choose a meeting place away from your home for family members to gather in case you are not together when a fire happens. Designate a neighbor to evacuate your pets in case you are not able to get home during a fire. if A WildfiRe is AppRoAcHinG • Prepare to evacuate. Listen to emergency channels and know the status of the fire. Load necessary items in your car so you can evacuate quickly and immediately if instructed to evacuate. • If you are home and instructed to evacuate, gather family members and pets and leave immediately. Life is more important than belongings. AfteR A WildfiRe • Return only after it is safe. Do not go back to your house until officials declare it safe to do so. • Watch out for ash pits and hot spots. Even after a fire has been extinguished, small fires can flare up without warning. Check your house and surrounding property for hot spots and extinguish them immediately. • Document the damage to your house. Take photos and video and make a written list. You will need this documentation for insurance purposes. Being prepared for the worst and never using your emergency supplies or your plan is a good thing. It's better to never use your plan or supplies than to say, "I wish I had been prepared." If you don't have an emergency kit, come to an EPP meeting and ask for assistance. ~ John McLaughlin PREPARing FoR WiLdFiRE

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