Fire Watch

Tips to prepare your family and home for fires

Posted: Jun 29, 2012 7:23 PM by Christina Lysacek - MTN News

With the recent surge in wildfires and evacuations we want to provide you with tips on how to prepare yourself and your home for the worst.

We stopped by Buffalo Restoration today, a local company who specializes in fire restoration. They recommend you:

• Remove any valuable paperwork including medical records, medications, legal documents, birth certificates, and social security cards.
• Don't forget about your pets. Pack ample food and any medications they need along with their favorite toys.
• Back up your computers and store off-site while keeping hard copies of all your important contacts.
• Remove family photos, scrapbooks, guns, ammunition, safety deposit box key, and other irreplaceable items.
• Create a barrier around you home by removing any trees and loose debris.
• Move all combustible materials away from the home which would include propane tanks, ammunition, and gas cans.
• Close windows, doors, and crawl spaces.
• Turn off your gas supply.
• Take photos of each room in your house. This will help document the contents if replacement or repair is needed.
• Remove insurance information including your agent and policy numbers.
• Contact your insurance agent to confirm your home is insured to its current value (a 30 day waiting period might apply).

They also suggest that you be proactive with your preparations because they can be time consuming.

If your home is damaged by smoke or flames you can contact Buffalo Restoration at (406) 586-8109. You can also visit their web site for more information.