As Peak Fire Season Hits, Insurers, Firefighters & Public Officials Showcase Wildfire Preparedness & Recovery

VISTA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Baffled vents, gutter guards and lollipop trees may not be at the top of your home improvement list, but they should be if you live in a fire zone.

“No one likes to think that they will become the victim of a disaster, but preparing your home and finances helps safeguard against the personal catastrophe a wildfire can leave in its wake”

With the dangerous fall wildfire months upon us, the Insurance Information Network of California, the California Department of Insurance and the Vista Fire Department have joined forces to showcase physical and financial preparedness for homeowners in high risk fire areas.

At a demonstration in Vista, fire experts outlined low-cost fire protection measures and fire-safe landscaping for homes. Insurance experts also detailed how to create an effective home inventory that will not only help determine how much insurance to buy, but also provide a roadmap to fire recovery.

Residents of fire zones should be on alert and ready with proper brush clearance, evacuation plans, and home inventories, especially as we enter the fall months. Some of the worst fires in California’s history have been windswept by Santa Ana winds.

“No one likes to think that they will become the victim of a disaster, but preparing your home and finances helps safeguard against the personal catastrophe a wildfire can leave in its wake,” said IINC Executive Director Candysse Miller.

Vista Fire Chief Gary Fisher demonstrated simple improvements designed to block hot embers from entering a home. These include baffled vents and non-flammable foam filler for gutters. He also outlined the department’s “Ready! Set! Go!” personal wildfire action plan, which includes fire-safe landscaping to create defensible space.

California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner stressed the importance of having enough insurance coverage to rebuild a home and replace personal belongings. Many homeowners don’t know details of the insurance policies until it is too late, he said.

Experts advise preparing both your home and finances against fire dangers and by creating defensible space and compiling a home inventory. When fire rages through communities, there is very little time to do anything but leave as quickly as possible.

San Diego has been scorched by several catastrophic wildfires, including the Cedar and Paradise fire in 2003 and the Witch, Harris and other fires in 2007. Combined, the 2003 and 2007 fires claimed more than 4,300 structures.

IINC is a non-profit and non-lobbying trade association dedicated to helping the public understand insurance and manage risk. For more information, please visit www.iinc.org. IINC is also on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/iinc and Facebook at http://companies.to/iinc.