HOW TO MAKE A WILD FIRE SAFETY PLAN & KIT FOR YOUR FAMILY

SO THIS ISN’T MY “NORMAL” TYPE OF CONTENT, BUT IMPORTANT NONETHELESS. I SHARED A DISASTER PREPAREDNESS POST A FEW YEARS AGO AND WANTED TO FOLLOW UP WITH ONE THAT’S MORE SPECIFIC FOR MY CALIFORNIA FRIENDS AND FAMILY. FIRE SEASON SEEMS TO BE STARTING SOONER AND LASTING LONGER. WHICH MEANS NOW MORE THAN EVER, IT’S IMPORTANT TO MAKE A WILD FIRE SAFETY PLAN & KIT FOR YOUR FAMILY.

IF YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW IS IMPACTED BY WILDFIRES OR A DISASTER, I WANT TO SHARE THAT I AM HERE TO HELP HOWEVER I CAN. I GOT MY DISASTER PREPAREDNESS & READINESS AND PREPAREDNESS CERTIFICATION AS A REAL ESTATE AGENT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS BECAUSE I KNOW HOW STRESSFUL AND UNPREDICTABLE THESE SITUATIONS CAN BE.

AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, MY HOME TOWN AND MOST OF MY CHILDHOOD BURNED DOWN IN THE TUBBS FIRE, EVERY HOME I GREW UP IN, THE GROCERY STORE & GAS STATION WE WENT TO, THE SCHOOL I WENT TO – I CAN’T EVEN COUNT HOW MANY FRIENDS & FAMILY MEMBERS LOST EVERYTHING. EVERY YEAR, THERE ARE MORE FIRES & MORE DEVASTATION. MY HEART BREAKS FOR EVERYONE AFFECTED.

THERE ARE SO MANY VARIABLES AND UNFORESEEN CHALLENGES THAT COME WITH NATURAL DISASTERS AND WILDFIRES. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS IS PREPAREDNESS. JUST KNOW YOU’RE NOT ALONE AND I’M HERE TO HELP. WHETHER YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW NEED RESOURCES FOR EVACUATION, GUIDANCE OR INSIGHT DURING A DISASTER, OR HELP FIGURING OUT WHAT TO DO IN THE HORRIBLE EVENT THAT A HOME IS LOST. FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT TO ME DIRECTLY:

FIRE SAFETY KIT

HAVING A GENERAL DISASTER KIT & SUPPLIES READY IS GREAT, BUT IF YOU LIVE IN CALIFORNIA, OR ANYWHERE ELSE THAT IS THREATENED BY WILDFIRES, IT’S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A MORE SPECIFIC FIRE SAFETY PLAN, CHECKLIST AND SUPPLIES READY TO GO.

THERE ARE A FEW ROUTES YOU CAN GO, YOU CAN BUY A READY MADE FIRE KIT, OR MAKE YOUR OWN. I FEEL LIKE THE BEST BET IS TO DO BOTH – BUY ONE WITH THE MAIN SUPPLIES AND ADD SOME OF YOUR OWN.

THE BEST PLACE TO BUY DISASTER KITS IS ON AMAZON. THEY HAVE A TON OF AMAZING OPTIONS AT REASONABLE PRICES. PLUS, YOU CAN READ OTHER PEOPLE’S REVIEWS & SEE PHOTOS.

BEST OVERALL FIRE EMERGENCY KIT

THIS REDFLORA KIT IS ONE OF THE BEST ALL AROUND PURCHASES. IT’S A COLOR CODED SYSTEM FOR 2 PEOPLE, MEANT FOR A 3 DAY PERIOD. IT’S GOT EVERYTHING YOU NEED LIKE WATER, FOOD, LIGHT, PERSONAL HYGIENE, TOOLS, FIRST AID, SHELTER, WARMTH & COMMUNICATION.

IT ALSO COMES WITH A VIDEO GUIDE AND AUTOMATIC ENROLLMENT INTO THEIR REMINDER SYSTEM SO NOTHING EXPIRES.

BEST EMERGENCY FOOD KIT

THIS PREMIUM KIT COMES WITH SUPPLIES FOR 2 OR 4 PEOPLE AND IS TOP RATED WHEN IT COMES TO FOOD. WHILE A LOT OF EMERGENCY KITS COME WITH PROTEIN BARS, THIS ONE HAS 3 DAYS WORTH OF FOOD LIKE MACARONI AND CHEESE & CHICKEN TERIYAKI RICE.

IT ALSO COMES WITH ITEMS LIKE SURVIVAL WATER STRAWS, A PORTABLE STOVE, BATH WIPES, EMERGENCY BLANKETS, WHISTLES & A LANTERN.

DON’T FORGET A VEHICLE EMERGENCY KIT

I ALSO THINK IT’S IMPORTANT TO ADD AN EMERGENCY KIT TO YOUR CAR. JUST IN CASE SOMETHING HAPPENS WHEN YOU’RE AWAY FROM HOME, OR IN THE EVENT YOU HAVE TO GET OUT OF YOUR HOUSE QUICKLY AND CAN’T GRAB YOUR KIT OR SUPPLIES.

THIS IS MORE OF A WORST CASE SCENARIO KIT, BUT IT’S BETTER TO BE PREPARED. I REALLY LIKE THAT THE ITEMS YOU’RE MOST LIKELY TO NEED FIRST ARE PACKED ON TOP. IT ALSO INCLUDES A NECK GATOR THAT CAN BE USED AS AN EMERGENCY MASK. PLUS, THE ENTIRE BAG IS CLEAR, HEAVY DUTY & WATERPROOF.

FIRE ESCAPE KIT

I WAS RECENTLY TALKING TO FRIENDS ABOUT HOW MY SISTER AND I HAD A FIRE LADDER IN OUR ROOM AS KIDS. WHICH WE LEARNED TO USE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. AS I WAS SEARCHING FOR A NEW ONE, I FOUND THIS EASY TO USE, ANTI SLIP FIRE ESCAPE LADDER – WHICH IS GREAT IF YOU LIVE IN A TWO STORY HOUSE. NOTE: THIS IS A ONE TIME USE LADDER, SO IF YOU WANT TO PRACTICE USING IT, I RECOMMEND BUYING TWO.

I REMEMBER DOING FIRE DRILLS WITH MY FAMILY AT HOME AND AT OUR SCHOOL AS A KID, BUT IT’S NOT SOMETHING I REALLY THINK ABOUT AS AN ADULT. IT’S CRAZY TO THINK I DON’T KNOW MANY PEOPLE’S PHONE NUMBERS ANYMORE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY AND RARELY THINK ABOUT CHECKING OUR SMOKE ALARMS UNLESS I OVERCOOK A FROZEN PIZZA.

WHEN I WAS LOOKING AT FIRE LADDERS, I ALSO STUMBLED UPON THIS FIRE ESCAPE KIT WHICH I THINK IS A GREAT ADDITION TO YOUR STANDARD SUPPLIES.

IT WAS CUSTOMIZED BY US MILITARY VETERANS TO PREPARE FOR INDOOR AND OUTDOOR FIRE EMERGENCIES. MEANING, THE KIT IS SPECIFICALLY FOR FIRE EMERGENCIES.

IT INCLUDES ITEMS LIKE A FIRE EMERGENCY BLANKET, HEAT RESISTANT GLOVES, EMERGENCY ESCAPE ROPE & CARABINERS, A GLASS BREAKER HAMMER, A TACTICAL FLASHLIGHT, GLOW STICKS, MEDICAL BURN GEL & FIRST AID SUPPLIES.

OTHER ITEMS I RECOMMEND ADDING TO YOUR FIRE EMERGENCY KIT

HERE IS A LIST OF OTHER ITEMS TO CONSIDER ADDING. I HAVE ONE OF THESE TRUNK ORGANIZERS THAT WORKS REALLY WELL, YOU CAN EVEN USE IT IN YOUR HOME FOR KEEPING EVERYTHING IN ONE PLACE.

• A RESPIRATOR MASK & GOGGLES OR FULL FACE RESPIRATOR MASK
• FIRE RETARDANT SPRAY KIT
• COLD FIRE – INSTANTLY COOLS HOT SURFACES
• PET EMERGENCY KIT, SUPPLIES, FOOD, WATER & CONSIDER AN EVACUATION BAG OR CRATE
• PORTABLE, SOLAR POWERED PHONE AND DEVICE CHARGER

WUSH BAG

I RECENTLY READ ABOUT AN IDEA CALLED A “WUSH” BAG. AKA: WAKE UP SH*TS HAPPENING – WHICH IS MY NEW FAVORITE FIRE SAFETY PLAN/KIT ACRONYM!

HERE’S WHAT IS RECOMMENDED TO HAVE NEARBY OR IN A BAG READY TO GO. THESE ARE ESPECIALLY USEFUL IN FIRE SCENARIOS/

• WALLET
• CELL PHONE – THIS CAN BE TRICKY, SO CONSIDER BUYING A CHEAP BACKUP PHONE THAT CAN BE PREPAID
• BACKUP PHONE CHARGER (I LIKE THIS ONE BECAUSE THE CABLES ARE BUILT IN AND IT COMES WITH THREE CABLES FOR DIFFERENT DEVICES)
• KEYS – GET AN EXTRA SET AND KEEP THEM IN THE BAG
• PORTABLE USB DRIVE – BACK UP COPIES OF PHOTOS, FILES FROM YOUR COMPUTER, IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS LIKE YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE, PASSPORT, INSURANCE POLICIES, DEED FOR HOUSE, MARRIAGE LICENSE, HEALTH INSURANCE, CREDIT CARDS, HOMEOWNERS OR RENTAL INSURANCE, ETC.
• CASH – ALWAYS HELPFUL TO HAVE A LITTLE EXTRA CASH IN CASE YOU CAN’T FIND YOUR WALLET & CAN’T GET TO A BANK.
• MEDICATIONS
• GLASSES
• FLASHLIGHT

WHAT TO INCLUDE IF YOU’RE MAKING YOUR OWN KIT

HERE ARE A FEW THINGS (BUT NOT LIMITED TO) THAT YOU SHOULD INCLUDE IF YOU WANT TO BUILD YOUR OWN KIT OR KITS FOR FAMILY.

• 3 DAY FOOD SUPPLY (PER PERSON)
• 3 DAY WATER SUPPLY
• SNACKS
• CLOTHING
• LIGHTWEIGHT CAMPING TARP
• REUSABLE BOTTLE FOR WATER
• WATER FILTER STRAW OR PURIFICATION TABLETS
• FIRST AID KIT
• PILLOW, BLANKETS, EAR PLUGS, ETC
• TOILETRIES
• SANITATION PRODUCTS
• TOILET PAPER
• FLASHLIGHT
• BATTERIES
• LEATHERMAN MULTITOOL
• PARACORD
• MAPS OF LOCAL AREAS (IMPORTANT IF CELL SERVICE IS NOT WORKING)
• RADIO
• SOLAR CHARGER
• PEPPER SPRAY
• FIRE EXTINGUISHER
• TUBE TENT
• SIGNAL FLARE

YOU CAN FIND ALL OF THESE ITEMS & MORE HERE ON MY AMAZON EMERGENCY SUPPLIES LIST.

HOW TO CREATE A PLAN

MY RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MORE SPECIFIC IF YOU LIVE IN A WILDFIRE ZONE. BUT DEFINITELY HELPFUL REGARDLESS OF WHERE YOU LIVE.

I PERSONALLY FOLLOW CAL FIRE AND LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS ON VARIOUS SOCIAL NETWORKS TO STAY UPDATED. FOR INSTANCE, THERE IS A REALLY GREAT GROUP FOR SONOMA COUNTY ON FACEBOOK WITH CONSTANT UPDATES FROM PEOPLE IN THE AREA. I RECOMMEND SEARCHING FACEBOOK OR REDDIT FOR GROUPS IN YOUR COUNTY / COUNTIES WHERE YOUR FAMILY LIVES.

CAL FIRE ALSO HAS A REALLY GREAT WEBSITE THAT CAN HELP YOU CREATE A PREPAREDNESS PLAN BASED ON WHERE YOU LIVE.

YOU ENTER YOUR SPECIFIC DETAILS AND IT GIVES YOU A PLAN THAT YOU CAN SAVE WITH INFORMATION ON CREATING AN EVACUATION CHECKLIST, HOW TO PREPARE FOR AN EVACUATION, ANIMAL EVACUATION INFORMATION & HOME HARDENING TASKS.

I RECOMMEND VISITING THE SITE AND GETTING A CHECKLIST SPECIFIC TO YOUR LOCATION & NEEDS. BUT HERE ARE SOME GENERAL TIPS THAT YOU CAN REVIEW, OR SAVE THE IMAGES TO YOUR PHONE / PRINT THEM OUT FOR FUTURE USE.

Home & Wildfire EVACUATION CHECKLIST

HOME & WILDFIRE: PREPARE FOR AN EVACUATION

HOME & WILDFIRE HOME HARDENING TIPS

HOME & WILDFIRE PET AND ANIMAL EVACUATION TASKS

I HOPE THIS POST IS HELPFUL! I KNOW IT’S DEFINITELY HELPED ME GO THROUGH THE MOTIONS OF IMPROVING OUR PLAN & EMERGENCY KITS.

IT’S NEVER FUN HAVING TO THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS, BUT PUTTING TOGETHER A HOME FIRE ESCAPE PLAN AND PREPARING FOR “THE WORST” IS SO IMPORTANT. ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU LIVE IN AN AREA THAT’S CONSTANTLY THREATENED.

FROM CREATING AN EVACUATION PLAN TO CHECKING YOUR SMOKE DETECTORS, I HOPE EVERYONE STAYS SAFE, BUT IS OVERLY PREPARED IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE.

HERE IS ANOTHER POST RELATED TO EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, REGARDLESS OF THE TYPE OF DISASTER.