One of the primary ways fires can start in your home is via shrubbery. The California wildfires have gotten everyone on the edge of what potential harm their garden can cause. If you live near wildlands or an area that doesn’t receive a lot of rainfall, you’re at quite a high risk of fire breaking out in your home.
In any case, you’re likely to be wondering what you can do to keep your house fire-safe. There are a lot of factors that increase the likeliness of fire in your garden. These include the plants in your garden, the design of your landscape, and how you maintain it. If you’re confused about what you can do to prevent fire damage, we have some tips for you.

How to Reduce the Risk of Fire Damage?

Below are some of our tried and tested methods to lower fire damage.

Prune the Trees in Your Home

If your garden is big enough to host trees, you should try pruning these trees. Try to do this so that the branches don’t hang over the boundaries of your home. These hanging branches can be highly flammable, which means you’re at greater risk when they’re hanging out. Most experts believe that the plants should be at least ten feet away from any structures. Prune the branches up at least by six feet, so they don’t touch the ground and can’t catch fire from any fires on the ground.

Keep Shrubs Away From Your Home

You don’t want branches that can run together and create a fire anyplace near your home. If you have shrubs close to your house, there’s a greater chance of fire in your home. You want to place as much distance between you and the fire as there possibly can be. Experts suggest you have a distance of five feet at least. You can keep some herbs there or have a kitchen garden with plants that have a lot of moisture there instead.

Get Rid of the Debris

If you have any leaves or branches from pruning, you shouldn’t let them lay for more than a day. These dried-up branches and leaves can be an excellent place for fires to rise and extend. You should rake up leaves and dispose of them off at the first instant.

You should also ensure that these piles of dried leaves aren’t anywhere close to your home. You want them at a safe distance of at least 10 feet. If you have a deck or a porch that’s already wooden, you have to be even more careful. Ensure you don’t have any dry leaves, pines, needles, or other dry debris collected near or under the deck and porch.

You should also ensure that any rain gutters in your home don’t have dried-out debris; a tiny spark in one of these can lead to massive fires.

Choose Fire-Resistant Plants

Plants will not cause any fires if they have a certain degree of moisture content. You want to opt for plants that can retain their moisture well and have less of a chance of drying out or becoming wood for fire due to being so dry. Plants are less likely to ignite if they have moist, supple leaves and low amounts of sap and resin. Plants are different worldwide, and you may want to go for some that are dry.

However, the trick with these plants is to ensure that you grow them intermixed with other plants that have a lot of moisture so you can strike the correct balance with your garden.

You can also ask your nursery for fire-safe plants or find a list of fire-safe plants on google.

You Should Irrigate Your Land Well

If you have a lawn, you want to ensure that you keep it well-groomed and irrigated. Well-irrigated land and grass are less likely to catch fire than one that’s not. If there’s an accidental spark, grass that has been adequately watered won’t burst into flames immediately.

Maintain Plant Health

If your plants are healthy, they’re less likely to cause severe problems to your garden. They won’t throw off a lot of debris, and they won’t be overgrown either. If you’re maintaining their health, they also likely have a proper irrigation schedule, and that surmounts in ensuring that the plants and leaves don’t catch fire.

Avoid Mulches Prone to Fire

Some people use pine needles for mulch in their gardens. However, it’s necessary to note that pine needles are exceptional fire propagators. They may not burn for a long time, but it’s very easy for them to catch on fire. Even things like branch mulch can be explosive, which is why you should look for alternatives. Instead of organic materials, use inorganic materials like gravel and rock for mulching.

Replace Wooden Decks, Bridges, and Fences

You don’t want to make yourself more susceptible to fire. One way to do this is not to have structures made out of wood. Any decks, chairs, tables, and bridges should be made of metal, which is less likely to catch fire.

Call 911 Restoration of Santa Clarita in Case of Fire Damage

If you are affected by fire damage, contact 911 Restoration of Santa Clarita. Our IIRC-certified fire damage experts are available 24/7, 365 days a year to help you. We will provide a stress-free service and work with your insurance company for damage coverage.

Please don’t put your health at risk and leave the restoration work to the professionals from 911 Restoration of Santa Clarita. Visit our website www.911restorationsantaclarita.com or call us on (661) 401-7302 for more information.