Wildfire preparedness: How to address risk and protect your home

Wildfire preparedness: How to address risk and protect your home

Wildfire risk is no longer limited to a certain season. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), conditions can continue throughout the year, which makes preparation important year-round. While wildfires are happening with greater frequency, you can take steps now to mitigate the risk and severity, while also reviewing your insurance coverage for added peace of mind..

How to prepare for a wildfire
Preparing for a wildfire is about understanding how wildfires spread and ignite, especially when it comes to wildfire home protection. Review the following tips to help fireproof your home and reduce the odds of a wildfire in your area:

Landscape to minimize and block wildfires
The area closest to your house plays an important role in wildfire home protection. Keeping this space well-maintained and choosing plants less likely to ignite can help reduce risk.

For your immediate perimeter, landscaping recommended includes irrigated lawns and low-growing herbaceous (non-woody) plants. If you live in a wildfire-prone area, shrubs and trees, particularly conifers, are not recommended for use near your home.

Between 30 and 100 feet from your home, spacing out your trees and bushes can reduce the energy and speed of a wildfire. Maintain a minimum horizontal spacing of 10 feet between crowns, with this distance increasing if there's slope.

Keep gutters and downspouts clean
Leaves and debris that collect on a roof can increase fire risk. Keeping gutters clear and in good condition can help prevent buildup. Noncombustible gutter guards and a drip edge along the roofline can offer added protection in these areas.

Inspect your fireplace chimneys twice every year
Routine chimney maintenance can help reduce buildup and support safe operation. A professional inspection can also confirm the spark arrester is working as expected.

Remove debris from under porches, decks and crawl spaces
These areas can easily collect materials that contribute to fire risk. Keeping them clear can help reduce exposure and support the overall condition of the structure.

Install smart home fire and smoke sensors
Smart fire and smoke sensors can send alerts directly to a phone, helping homeowners stay informed even when away. Early awareness is important to how quickly a situation is addressed.

Have an evacuation plan
Having a plan in place ahead of time can make it easier to act quickly if necessary, Practicing that plan can help everyone in the household feel more prepared and at ease.

Make a natural disaster kit
One of the best ways to proactively prepare for the unexpected is to build your own natural disaster survival kit. The National Security Council recommends you consider the following for emergency supply kits:

- One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days

- Three days-worth of nonperishable protein-packed foods you can cook without electricity, such as tuna, peanut butter and granola bars, and don't forget about food for your pets

- Can opener

- Hand-crank or battery-powered radio with extra batteries

- Flashlight with extra batteries

- First aid kit with gauze, tape, bandages, antibiotic ointment, aspirin, a blanket, nonlatex gloves, scissors, hydrocortisone, thermometer, tweezers and instant cold compress

- Tool kit with basic tools, in case you need to shut off utilities

- Hand sanitizer and garbage bags for sanitation

- Plastic sheeting and duct tape in case of broken windows or a leaky roof

- Whistle to signal for help so rescuers can locate you

How can you reduce wildfires on your property?
Fire professionals often talk about creating a "defensible space" around a home. Local fire departments may offer guidance based on the specific property and surrounding area.

Protect the area around a propane tank
Fuel sources such as propane tanks and firewood can increase risk when placed too close to a home. Keeping these items at a distance and maintaining a clear area around them can help reduce exposure.

Avoid building with combustible materials
When making updates, choosing fire-resistant materials can help support long-term protection. Features like a Class A fire-rated roof or metal fencing can help limit how fire moves across a property.

Manage smoking materials carefully
Smoking materials can pose a risk if not handled with care. A designated area with a safe way to dispose of items can help reduce the chance of ignition.

How does homeowners insurance cover wildfires?
Standard homeowners policies typically cover damage to or destruction of your home due to fire, which can include wildfires. If your home was destroyed by a fire, the dwelling coverage in your homeowners insurance might help you pay to rebuild your home after meeting your deductible.

If a home becomes temporarily unlivable, many policies include additional living expense (ALE) coverage to help with costs like lodging. For renters insurance, most policies cover your personal property if it's damaged by a wildfire or a covered event. Like homeowners insurance, you may also have coverage for ALE if your place becomes unlivable.

Get the proper wildfire insurance
To help provide peace of mind and avoid unexpected coverage gaps later, now is a good time to ensure you have the wildfire coverage your home needs. By taking steps toward the goal of reducing the risks of fire on your property, you can help to preserve and protect it. Find an American Family Insurance agency owner near you to review your coverage, explain your options, and learn more.

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About American Family Insurance
American Family Insurance, based in Madison, Wis., has been serving customers since 1927. We inspire, protect and restore dreams through our insurance products, exceptional service from our agency owners and employees, community investments and creative partnerships. American Family Insurance is the nation's 12th-largest property/casualty insurance company, ranking No. 226 on the Fortune 500 list. American Family has a current 'a+' credit rating through AM Best, and has distinction as a "Standing the Test of Time" company, which is represented by having an AM Best financial strength rating of 'A' or better for at least 75 years. The company offers American Family-brand products through a network of exclusive agency owners as well as nationwide through key strategic partnerships. American Family Insurance also includes Homesite and Main Street America. The company has approximately 10,500 employees nationwide.