Ten Tips to Save Yourself and Your Belongings in a Wildfire
1. Make sure you have plenty of time.
During fires, it is important to get out safely. Don’t wait until the last minute to leave. It’s better safe than sorry.
2. Vehicles
Make sure your vehicle has plenty of gas. Park your vehicle in a space you can drive out of easily.
3. Pets
Have your pet carriers loaded into vehicles and ready to go. It is important to be able to get your pets and go quickly.
4. Pictures and Documents
Download all important documents and pictures to a flash drive. A flash drive will take up little space, and you can easily grab it and go.
5. Important Items
The most important things to save in a fire are the things that can’t be replaced. Make sure important family heirlooms are boxed up and ready to go.
6. Use a Storm Shelter
Not everything will fit in your vehicle. A cellar or storm shelter can be used to protect items you don’t pack.
7. Have a small bag packed and ready
There isn’t always time to pack so have a small bag ready to go in case you need to leave in a hurry. A change of clothes, toothbrush, and other essentials should get you through.
8. Know Where to Go
It is important to have a plan in case you need to evacuate. Talk with a relative or friend and find a safe place to go.
9. Make Sure Your Phone is Charged
It is important to be able to call for help. If you get trapped or lost have your phone needs to be charged. I also recommend portable chargers so you can still charge your phone if you lose power.
10. Wait for the Professionals
Don’t try to put out any fires yourself. It is dangerous, and this kind of work should be left to the people who are trained for it.
These tips are to help you stay safe. There is not always time to save your belongings. No house, vehicle, or item of clothing is more important than you. These items can be replaced. You can not.
