Preparing for a wildfire
Wildfires are unique compared to other natural disasters. They can be fought, potentially contained and people can see them coming. Plus, unlike tornadoes and earthquakes, people often have hours, if not days, of advance notice before a wildfire hits their location. Unfortunately, none of this makes them any less dangerous. Every year, wildfires take countless lives and destroy hundreds of homes and businesses.
Even those not directly in the path of wildfire can be affected by it. The smoke and ash can blanket large regions, making the air dangerous to breathe for hundreds of miles. Stanford researchers estimate that more than 1,000 people died in 2020 alone from air pollution caused by California wildfires.
Essential wildfire supplies
Respirator
One of the farthest reaching consequences from wildfires is poor air quality. The smoke and other contaminants released during wildfires can pose a health hazard, especially when breathed continuously for long periods of time. The risk is greatest for the elderly and those with asthma or other breathing-related illnesses, but it can harm anyone.
This air pollution can continue for days after a fire has been extinguished too, so it is important to have N95 respirators on hand that can filter out these contaminants if needed. Some models feature valves that make them cooler and more comfortable to wear for extended periods.
Air filters and purifiers
Having an N95 respirator is a great way to protect yourself from airborne contaminants when outside for short periods of time, but it is uncomfortable and somewhat unfeasible to wear them at all times when inside your home. Instead, you may want to buy an air purifier that can filter out some of the wildfire smoke. The best models will feature HEPA filtration, activated charcoal and sensors to test your air quality.
If you have central air conditioning, the EPA recommends upgrading to at least a MERV 13-rated air filter, which is dense enough to capture fine particles of smoke and other contaminants. Most standard HVAC units can handle these high-efficiency filters without issue, however you may need to change them more often than you would with your regular filter to ensure they aren’t restricting airflow.
Fire extinguisher
If your home is in the direct path of a large wildfire, it’s true that a fire extinguisher will do little to help. However, there are many homes that are at risk of igniting that aren’t anywhere close to the path of the fire simply because of burning embers that have traveled with the wind. In these instances, having a fire extinguisher ready can mean the difference between minor damage and an uncontrollable blaze damaging your home.
Emergency go bag
We can’t control when and where a natural disaster will strike, and you never know when you will need to evacuate your home at a moment’s notice. In these situations, you’ll want to have a go bag ready and waiting. These contain life-sustaining supplies, like water and non-perishable foods, as well as first aid supplies, necessary toiletries, a flashlight and other useful items. Ideally, you should keep a copy of important documents inside of them as well so they aren’t potentially lost to the blaze.
Hand-cranked weather radio
Wildfires can burn down cell towers, internet cables and other infrastructure required for modern day communications. When that happens, it is important to have a hand-cranked weather radio in your home so you can listen to the NOAA VHF channel for vital updates. This helps keep you aware of where the fire is heading, if an evacuation has been recommended for your area and other vital information.
Portable power bank
Utility companies sometimes turn off the power when a wildfire is approaching in order to protect firefighters from electrical hazards. This means that you might be left without electricity to charge your smartphone, which you’ll need to keep in touch with loved ones or, potentially, use to call emergency services. A portable power bank gives you a backup method to charge your device even if your home is without power.
First aid kit
A first aid kit should be in everyone’s home whether you are preparing for a natural disaster or not. They contain basic medical supplies that you can use to fight infections and dress wounds, as well as gloves for the person who is providing the medical care. More advanced kits may contain insulated blankets and an emergency whistle to signal for help.
Fireproof safe
Sometimes, no matter how well you prepare, there is simply nothing you can do to protect your home. In these instances, the most important thing is to evacuate and focus on the safety of you and your family members. If this happens, the last thing you need to deal with is the stress of recovering important documents like mortgage paperwork and birth certificates.
Ideally, you should store copies of all of this paperwork in the cloud, but it is still a good idea to keep the originals either in a safety deposit box or a fireproof safe in your home. This is also a good place to store irreplaceable family photos and valuables. You can choose a large model that you bolt to your floor, or a smaller model that you can pick up and carry when evacuating.
Brett Dvoretz is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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