Everyone in our community should prepare themselves for the risk of fire (not just wildfires). Drought conditions persist across the country and many of our homes are in or near woodland settings. Wildfires in California and other places across the country and single home fires remind us to be prepared.
The association urges all residents to create an emergency contact system so you have a place where you or your family members can call or log into remotely for information. Plan multiple escape routes from your home and out of the community in case one way is blocked. Make sure your insurance coverage is adequate; take a detailed inventory of your home.
There may also be simple steps you can take to make your home less vulnerable. Check with our local fire department to see what you can do. Simple things such as keeping trees and bushes far enough away from your home, ensuring shrubs near your home are regularly watered and installing dual-paned or tempered glass windows can help.
If our association ever experiences such a disaster, it will face tough times and difficult decisions just like you. It’s the responsibility of the association manager and board members to make sure community standards are upheld when rebuilding, which will require adhering to the community’s governing documents. We may bring in a third-party architect and attorney to help you rebuild in accordance with those documents.
Check for more tips on fire safety from the U.S. Fire Administration and other government organizations at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/prevention/outreach and www.firesafety.gov/.
