Protecting Your Home during Wildfire Season

As we’ve already seen, the wildfire season is already underway in many states, including Colorado, California and here in New Mexico.

Each year, it is the same thing. It gets hot in the summer and many plants have begun to dry up and then the New Mexico wildfires strike. The fields of bushes, shrubbery, and underbrush are like one big giant matchbook, lying in wait for an accident or a careless bystander with a cigarette or someone even using power tools or doing target practice with a gun.

It’s not time to panic; if anything, it just means that the best strategy is to consider the best proactive ways to protect your home during this and future wildfire seasons.

Fire Insurance

One of the first things you can do is contact your homeowner's insurance provider and make sure you are covered in the event of a fire so that, if something terrible does happen, you won't have lost everything in vain. 

If your provider won't offer this service for some reason, you should look into a third party provider or find a new insurance group altogether.

At Linton and Associates, we would be more than happy to help you to get things settled and covered. We understand that, while fire insurance is a great start, the insurance isn't going to bring back photo albums and family heirlooms not to mention that yours or your family's lives could be in danger in the case of a fire.

Other Methods of Protection

If you live in an area that is at risk for a wildfire like here in New Mexico, be conscientious, especially during the dry season. Do what you can to minimize the risk for fire coming too close for comfort. Here are some ideas for proactive fire protection in New Mexico:

•  Be sure to clear brush away from your house and property. If there is a fire, your house will have a better chance of making it through if the property is clear of dry weeds and brush.
• Install non-combustible roof shingles also helps greatly as they are very fire resistant. Newer homes here in New Mexico come with these shingles, but if you have an older home, you may need to do an upgrade.
• Keep your ventilation ducts clear because this can help to prevent the wildfire from spreading to the house as well as any dry vegetation around the house.

Create a Fire Escape Plan

Have an escape plan for family members in case of a fire. This includes an escape route, place to meet, and way to communicate. You may also want to keep irreplaceable things like photo albums in an easy to access spot so you can scoop them up and go at a moment’s notice. 

Most importantly, review this plan with your family as being prepared can help you stay calmer in the event wildfires strike here in New Mexico.