7 Things Homeowners Can Do to Protect Their Homes Against Wildfire This Year

Wildfire seasons have grown longer and more severe in recent years, devastating entire cities and leading to some costly homeowners insurance claims. When fires get truly out of control, there's not much homeowners can do other than evacuate and hope for the best. But there are plenty of steps homeowners can take before then to reduce the risk of a wildfire breaking out around their property. Here are seven steps to take if you haven't already done so.

1. Have 30 feet of defensible space around your home

Clearing the area around the home of combustible materials can reduce the risk of the home or any other buildings on the property catching on fire. Limit the amount of flammable plants around the home and keep the lawn neatly trimmed. Even better, stick to materials like brick or concrete in this area.

2. Keep embers out of attic vents

Blowing embers can carry fires across long distances. If these find their way into an attic vent, they can cause a home to go up in flames, even if the area around it is otherwise free of debris. Homeowners can reduce the likelihood of this issue by installing wire mesh screens over their vents to prevent the embers from getting inside.

3. Keep the roof and gutters clean

Even if embers don't make it into the home, they can still start a fire if there's leaves or other debris on the roof or in the gutters. Regularly cleaning these can further reduce the likelihood of a home catching on fire.

4. Seal gaps in exterior walls

Cracks in a home's foundation or exterior walls can let in smoke and embers. Sealing these helps protect the dwelling. Whenever possible, look for fire-resistant materials like mortar or fire-resistant caulk or expanding foam to fill gaps.

5. Build or remodel with noncombustible materials

Though it may be more expensive, building or remodeling a home with noncombustible materials, like a Class-A rated roof or fire-resistant siding could pay off big time in the long run if a wildfire comes through the area. Even the best building materials may not stop all wildfire damage if one comes through, but it can reduce the damage and thus, the cost of the homeowners insurance claim.

6. Keep water on hand

When a wildfire is coming toward a home, homeowners can spray their homes and yards with water to help protect the property. Ensuring that garden hoses can reach all parts of the home and having barrels of water on hand saves crucial time during a fire. Even better, homeowners might consider installing a sprinkler system with its own power and water sources.

7. Review the homeowners insurance policy

There's no wildfire precaution homeowners can take that will stave off disaster in all situations. So adequate homeowners insurance coverage is key. The policy limits should be enough to cover a full rebuild if the home is destroyed in a fire. Keep in mind that building costs can rise sharply following a natural disaster.

Those who aren't sure how much homeowners insurance coverage they need can reach out to an insurance agent or even talk to a builder in their area about what they think is appropriate.

Everyone hopes that a wildfire never comes to their doorstep, but it's happening to more and more people every year. Even if wildfires aren't all that common in your area, it never hurts to take some of the above precautions to help yourself sleep a little better at night.