Pre-Fire Planning

Plan at least two evacuation routes from your neighborhood to the designated meeting place. Designate a meeting place outside of your neighborhood in case members of your family are not allowed back into the area.

Meet with neighbors to discuss their plans. Refer "Organizing Your Neighborhood" for more information.

Discuss fire plans with neighbors who will need assistance.

Identify what you would like to take with you in the event of a fire.

Have important papers in a fire-proof box to take with you.

Store papers and momentos in a suitcase near the front entrance with a red ribbon tied around it. Coordinate with neighbors who will retrieve the suitcase if you are not home during the emergency.

Store photograph negatives at an alternate location. Many people who lose everything in fires most regret the loss of family photos.

Bury all plastic waterlines that could melt in the event of a fire.

Install gas-powered pumps on your pool or hot tub to be used as an alternate water source. Be sure to store gas in a metal can with a tight fitting lid.

Review your homeowners insurance policy periodically.

Prepare your emergency preparedness kit, and have emergency supplies ready.

Post your address at the driveway and any forks in the road. The address should be easily read from the street, both day and night. The address and post should be made of non-combustible material. (These are available through your local fire department).

Video-tape all valuables and keep an inventory list, with duplicates kept at an alternate location.