Being born and raised in sunny Southern California I have not really seen changing seasons since the temperature pretty much stays around 70 degrees.  However, unfortunately, Southern California does have terrible fire seasons when it gets dry and windy.  We also have car troubles at times since we seem to be constantly on the go in SoCal.  I found a few articles that I am keeping on file regarding fire safety and emergency kits for your vehicle.  I hope these tips will help others be more prepared for the unexpected.

Stay Fire Safe

Dry weather and winds can equal disaster. What are you doing to keep your home safe?                                 

Outside Preparation:

• State law requires a defensible space of 100 ft. (or to the property line) around your house.  Protect the crucial 30 ft. zone closest to the house by clearing loose leaves and needles from the roof and gutters and by trimming tree limbs to at least 10 feet away from chimneys.
• Other steps include keeping flammable vegetation off the side of your home and planting fire-resistant ground cover or maintaining a healthy lawn that extends 10 feet away from the home on all sides.
• Use care with power equipment (a third of all fires are related to equipment use). A mower blade striking a rock could spark a fire.

Inside Preparation:

• Develop (and practice) an evacuation plan.  This should include, when possible, two ways out of each room in the house, two escape routes out of the neighborhood, and an out-of-area location where the family can meet following an evacuation.
• Organize important doucments, photo albums, and other valuables so they can be easily gathered for a hasty evacuation.  Have prescription drugs and a computer backup device at hand.
• Make sure smoke detector batteries are fresh, and keep working fire extinguishers in convenient locations.

Evacuation:

If a fire is approaching the neighborhood, take as many of these steps as you can before leaving, but remember that getting out should be your primary concern.

• Evacuate pets and anyone else who won't be helping prepare the home.
• Close outside doors and vents.
• Close inside doors between rooms.
• Shut off gas supplies at the source.
• Back the car into the driveway with the windows closed and, if your departure is imminent, with the keys in the ignition.  Load any valuables you didn't send away earlier.

Emergency Kits

1. What should I carry in case of mechanical breakdowns?

Some cars come with a basic emergency kit: jack, lug, wrench, and spare tire.  Depending on how far you travel you may want to add pliers, an adjustable wrench, a utility knife, Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers, PVC tape, work gloves, baling wire, a quart of engine oil, radiator coolant, a weatherproof flashlight, drinking water, a folding shovel for sand and snow, a fire extinguisher and roadside warning devices such as flares or reflective triangles. 

   2.  Should I pack jumper cables?

Only if oyu know how to use them.  Every year, thousands of drivers fry their car's electronics-or worse, injure themselves-with improper jump starts.  So follow your owner's manual to the letter, or leave jump starts to a pro.  If you decide to carry cables, buy good ones.  The longer the cables, the less car-jockeying you'll need to do, but longer cables need to be thicker to carry current in cold, damp weather.  Gauge numbers indicate thickness: The lower the number, the thicker the cable.  For six-cylinder engines, 12-foot, four gauge cables should do the job.  The Society of Automotive Engineers has developed a jumper-cable rating system that specifies materials (copper, not aluminum) and other criteria.  Look for an SAE rating on the package.  The rating system is voluntary, so not all amnufacturers follow it.

   3.  What should I have for personal comfort and safety?

Besides a cell phone and charger, carry a first-aid kit containing bandages and dressings, waterproof tape, latex gloves, antiseptic wipes, wound ointment, cold packs, and -most important-instructions on basic first aid.  Experts strongly recommend customizing a kit based on your and your family's medical needs.  Allergic to bee stings?  Toss in an EpiPen or other antihistamine.  A Mylar blanket really comes in handy, too. Light, compact and waterproof, it keeps you warm, dry and even cool (when spread on the roof to reflect sunlight).  You can also rip off a strip of the shiny material and tie it to your antenna to attract attention.

   4.  How about emergencies other than breakdowns?

When a mudslide, wildfire, or other emergency requires you to evacuate your home, you don't have time to think about what to pack.  Experts recommend preparing a ready-to-go plastic tub with energy bars or peanut butter, water, a portable radio (to get the latest bulletins without running down your car battery), local and regional maps, extra prescription medicine and a phone list.

Remeber that fires and car trouble can occur when we least expect it so be prepared and stay safe!