Fire! - When Disaster Strikes - page 298

• Swimming pools, ornamental ponds, etc., provide extra water reserves for fighting
fires, and may be tapped by either fire trucks' onboard pumping systems or lighter-
duty homeowner firefighting pump systems ( see fig. 11-2 ).
• Consider installing fireproof window shutters that will help prevent the heat of an ap-
proaching firestorm from shattering your windows or transmitting enough radiant
heat to ignite items inside the home.
• Your house number should be clearly visible from the street for identification by
emergency vehicles.
• In remote rural areas, it may be a smart idea to purchase a high-volume gasoline-
powered home fire-fighting pump (see fig. 11-2 ) . Gel systems have the capability to
get the most out of limited water supplies, and the sticky gel is a fire resistant gooey
coating that provides much longer lasting protection than a simple water spray, when
applied to walls, decking, and roofing.
Extreme Fire Alert, or Approaching Fire
Here is what to do if your home and loved ones are in the path of a fire:
• Stay tuned to local radio stations, but keep your eyes and ears open, not counting on
authorities for proper warning. Stay safe! It is best to err on the side of caution!
• Keep pets and children close at hand and ready for rapid evacuation.
• Place 72-hour emergency kits in car(s) along with important documents and com-
puter backup files. Park cars facing toward the driveway exit for a speedy evacu-
ation.
• When concerned about an approaching fire, a lawn sprinkler left running on your
roof improves the chances for saving your home.
• Hose down bushes and hedges next to your home, and trim back if you feel it may be
helpful or necessary.
• Close all windows and doors. Block foundation and roof vents to slow penetration of
superheated firestorm gases inside the building envelope.
• Close fireplace or chimney dampers to minimize the “chimney effect” from drawing
air up your chimney. Whatever volume of air draws up your chimney, will be re-
placed by superheated air from the outside firestorm.
• Remove drapes from windows and move furniture into center of rooms away from
windows.
• Turn off natural gas lines at the meter (you may need to contact your gas company to
have a qualified workman safely turn your gas back on) and propane lines at the tank.
Place a lawn sprinkler on your propane tank.