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The Importance of Having Defensible Space Around Your Home | SERVPRO® of Alamo Heights
8/3/2021 (Permalink)
If your home is damaged by fire or any other reason, SERVPRO of Alamo Heights is ready and able to repair any damage.
Today, homeowners face a number of risks to their property. To add to that, wildfires are now becoming more prevalent. Since 1985, the number of wildfires and the amount of land they have consumed has been steadily trending upward.
Most of these wildfires are started by humans. Either by accident or deliberate, the effect is the same.
Destruction of natural resources and sometimes property and loss of life. There are a couple of tactics we can take to better prepare for a wildfire, but let’s start with simple things first. Simply being more careful is an important and easy step.
Another tactic is defensible space. But what is that?
Defensible space is the act of creating a protective zone around your house and property.
By creating a space free of combustible materials between 50 and 100 feet away from your home, you can increase the probability of surviving a wildfire. We call this defensible space. Clear away broken limbs, and keep gutters clean and free of debris.
The barrier you create around your property will help protect your home in the event a wildfire does happen. This space also gives firefighters a chance to regroup and refocus efforts where they can do the most good.
A few states require defensible space by law. In Texas, it’s recommended and good practice to do so.
Texas ranks as the second most common state for wildfires to occur. In 2020, we had 6,713 wildfires, affecting 256,826 acres of land.
As a whole, the United States recorded over 59,000 wildfires in 2020. 2021 is already starting out with a bang, with 25% more wildfires compared to the same time last year.
With fire an ever-present danger, many precautions should be taken, and defensible space is an easy space to start.
If your home is damaged by fire of any sort, wild or not, SERVPRO is ready and able to repair the damage caused. Get in touch today to get the pros on your team.