Web Site Helps Fireproof California Homes
SAN DIEGO --
A free, online, personalized service may help California homeowners protect their homes from the dangers of wildfires, NBC 7/39 reported.
During the San Diego County firestorms of 2003, many homeowners and renters were caught off guard by the flames. Many said they had no idea their homes could catch fire so quickly.
That risk is back again, according to fire officials. But a new Web site allows people to spot the hot spots on their homes and repair them before a fire breaks out.
It's called the Fire Information Toolkit and was developed by experts at UC Berkeley. On the site, you answer basic questions about your home or apartment, such as what the roof is made of and whether you have fences or other structures nearby.
The toolkit processes that information, and shows the risks associated with the layout of a person's home. One expert told NBC 7/39 the site does a great job of pointing out dangers, such as rain gutters filled with leaves.
The Web site also tells you if your neighborhood is at risk for a wildfire. There are also tips on how to recover from a wildfire.
For more information, click here.
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