I live in a rural area served by a volunteer fire service. Skill and experience questions aside, their response time can vary quite a bit. Although wildfires/forest fires are fairly rare in my area, there is always the danger of house fires: All my appliances are propane powered, we have a wood stove, etc.
To this point, my plans have included copious quantities of smoke (and CO) detectors, at least 2 on every floor, with batteries changed annually. We have and have practiced a fire evacuation plan, and the kids are great at it. I have 5# fire extinguishers on every floor. We have generous fire insurance (I think).
As it gets pretty cold here, I have our travel trailer stored about 100 yards from the house with all systems ready to go if we have to evacuate and can't get to the cars (tuck-under garage). We've got it stocked with emergency supplies including an LP furnace, clothes/boots, an old cell phone to call 911, etc.
Future plans for this are:
1) Update copies of important documents such as birth certificates, drivers licenses, deed, insurance policies, etc. and store off-site.
2) Upgrade to 10# or 20# fire extinguishers (can't be too heavy or wife may not be able to use them.)
What have other folks done to prepare against fires, specifically house fires?
To this point, my plans have included copious quantities of smoke (and CO) detectors, at least 2 on every floor, with batteries changed annually. We have and have practiced a fire evacuation plan, and the kids are great at it. I have 5# fire extinguishers on every floor. We have generous fire insurance (I think).
As it gets pretty cold here, I have our travel trailer stored about 100 yards from the house with all systems ready to go if we have to evacuate and can't get to the cars (tuck-under garage). We've got it stocked with emergency supplies including an LP furnace, clothes/boots, an old cell phone to call 911, etc.
Future plans for this are:
1) Update copies of important documents such as birth certificates, drivers licenses, deed, insurance policies, etc. and store off-site.
2) Upgrade to 10# or 20# fire extinguishers (can't be too heavy or wife may not be able to use them.)
What have other folks done to prepare against fires, specifically house fires?