With the wildfire season in full swing, the Red Cross offers the following tips to residents who may be asked to evacuate their homes:
- If advised to evacuate, do so immediately! You may have only minutes to act. Protect yourself and your family members.
- Wear protective clothing: Sturdy shoes, cotton or woolen long pants and a long-sleeved shirt to protect your skin from hot embers, and gloves. Take a dry handkerchief to protect your face. Smoke can make it difficult to breathe, damaging breathing passages or triggering respiratory distress.
- Take your Disaster Supplies Kit. Having items such as prescription medications, copies of identification and important paperwork, non-perishable food, bottled water and a supply of cash already assembled will make you more comfortable and confident while you are away from home.
- Take your pets with you. Don’t leave pets behind.
- Lock your home. Others may evacuate after you or return before you. Secure your house as you normally would.
- Tell someone outside of the wildfire area where you are going. Relatives and friends will be concerned about your safety. Letting someone know your travel plans will help relieve their anxiety.
- Follow the route and directions provided by officials in charge of the evacuation. It’s important that you do not detour from the route provided by officials – it is the safest route!
Tags: wildfire preparation, wildfires
