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Texas Department of Insurance
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Wildfire risks: Projects to help you protect your home

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There are several simple steps you can take to protect your home from a wildfire. Make each of these a weekend project, and you’ll be ready in no time.

  1. Create fire-safe space around your house

    • Remove anything flammable within 5 feet from your house, such as leaves, firewood, or building materials. Use hard surfaces, such as stone, brick, gravel, or concrete as a buffer.
    • Remove plants near windows, vents, or siding that could catch fire.
    • Trim branches hanging over your roof. Trim lower branches on trees that could ignite from fire on the ground.
    • Keep your lawn and plants watered and remove dead branches or leaves.
  2. Maintain roof and gutters

    Remove leaves, pine needles, and other debris from your rain gutters and roof. They can be ignited easily from windblown embers that travel ahead of a wildfire. You should do this regularly.

  3. Maintain decks

    Check your deck for any material that can catch fire, such as potted plants or mulch beneath the deck. Don’t store wood on or under your deck. If a wildfire threatens, move wooden patio furniture or shade umbrellas inside.

  4. Check your insurance

    This is an indoor project! Review your homeowners insurance policy to make sure you have enough coverage to rebuild your house if it’s destroyed. In addition, create a home inventory to help if you have to file a claim.

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Questions? Call us at 800-252-3439.

Last updated: 6/23/2022