San Rafael’s homes are scattered among large green open spaces, small forests and lush grasslands, making them more vulnerable to wildfires. In normal years, accidents or carelessness with sources of sparks like cigarettes, fireworks and backyard fires can cause rapidly expanding wildfires that can threaten homes and lives. This year, the potential is even greater due to drought and strong winds. With the light rains and potential for lightning storms, we need to be extra cautious. Plus the firefighters are further restricted with social distancing.
So prepare for the worst now by constructing a fire damage escape and cleanup plan. Fast moving wildfires give you very little time to evacuate. If you live near a larger natural area, learn more about Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), areas where homes are built near lands prone to wildland fire.
Fire Damage Cleanup In San Rafael
What’s The Escape Plan?
With the wildfires in the news daily, today is a perfect time to construct a home evacuation plan. Whether your emergency comes from nature, a spark in the fireplace, or a cooking fire, you need to think through the details:
- Practice your home fire damage escape plan twice a year, making the drill as realistic as possible.
- Make arrangements in your plan for anyone in your home who has a disability.
- Have the children help plan and practice before holding a fire drill at night when they are sleeping. (The objective is to practice, not to frighten, so telling children there will be a drill before they go to bed can be as effective as a surprise drill.)
- Escape ladders can be placed in or near windows to provide an additional escape route from second floor bedrooms. First, practice setting up the ladder from a first floor window to make sure you can do it correctly and quickly. Store the ladder near the window, in an easily accessible location.
- Closing doors on your way out slows the spread of fire, giving you more time to safely escape.
- In some cases, smoke or fire damage may prevent you from exiting your home or apartment building. To prepare for an emergency like this, practice “sealing yourself in for safety” as part of your home fire escape plan. Close all doors between you and the fire. Use duct tape or towels to seal the door cracks and cover air vents to keep smoke from coming in. Call the fire department to report your exact location. Wave a flashlight or light-colored cloth at the window to let the fire department know where you are located.
Consider packing an evacuation kit that you can grab and go when needed. After you’ve escaped a fire, the next step is to execute a fire damage cleanup plan.
What’s The Fire Damage Cleanup Plan?
Experiencing a fire in your home or business can be one of the most traumatic events you ever have to face, but you do not have to manage the situation on your own. At Bravo Restoration, our experienced team of fire damage cleanup professionals will help you clean up the fire and smoke damage and can completely repair or rebuild your property after a fire. Bravo Restoration & Construction (formerly known as BRC) hopes you never experience a house fire, but if you do, they are here to help. This company is a woman owned, full service property restoration and general contractor serving Sonoma County, Marin County, and Napa County. They are dedicated to providing fair and honest service for quality construction work.
For immediate service for fire damage cleanup service in Santa Rosa or any other emergency, contact us. For general questions, to request a quote, to report a claim, or to pre-register for emergency planning, please contact us by email and we will respond to your inquiry during office hours.