Wildfire Safety Tips

By TKPOA Security

BASED ON THE RECENT CALDOR FIRE EVACUATIONS,

TKPOA is re-running this Wildfire Safety Tips article that was originally printed in the October 2020 Keys Breeze. The Tahoe Keys is grateful to the first responders, firefighters, and all who protected our homes and the beautiful Tahoe Basin.

Are you prepared in the event of an emergency situation or evacuation? Below are some safety tips and items to keep in an emergency “Go Bag” in case you find yourself leaving in a rush and/or potentially living out of your car/boat for a few days.

For more preparation and prevention guidelines, visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org. To stay “in the know” on potential hazards and alerts such as Fire, Hazardous Spills, Landslides, Floods, Earthquakes, or Evacuation Orders, you can sign up for CODE RED, a Reverse 911 Emergency Alert system. Go to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Alert Notification System Website at www.ready.edso.org and click on CODE RED under the Overview to register your personal and business phone numbers. The City of South Lake Tahoe (CSLT) also has a local alert system; text “Join prepare” to 30890 to register.

For questions, please contact TKPOA Security at (530) 545-0847.

EMERGENCY GO BAG CONTENTS

• Envelope for copies of Important

Papers: 3DEEDS to house, property 3INSURANCE policy, agents name, numbers 3PASSPORTS 3CREDIT CARDS front and back 3LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS for cars, boats 3MEDICAL CARDS 3DOCTORS names and numbers 3MEDICAL DIRECTIVES 3ESTATE PLANNING

DOCUMENTS, will, power of attorney, etc. • KEYS to house, boat, cars • GAS – full tanks in cars and boat • LIFE JACKETS for each person and pet • N100 PARTICLE MASKS per person. • PETS – food, water, meds • WATER for each person for 72 hrs. (1 to 3 gallons each) for

washing (lake water if on boat) & drinking. • MEDICATIONS, VITAMINS • FOOD, SNACKS for each person for 72 hrs. – utensils, cups, plates • GLASSES, sunglasses, reading glasses • WARM CLOTHES – coats, hats, socks, gloves • BLANKETS, TOWELS • WHISTLE • SMALL PLASTIC BAGS for daily waste; large bags to hold smaller • TOILET PAPER • FLASHLIGHTS, HEADLAMPS with fresh batteries • FIRST AID KIT

IF you have more time: • COMPUTERS – HARD DRIVE • MOBILE DEVICES, power cords

CLOSE all interior doors before leaving if fire. GARAGE DOOR – there is an emergency release if power is out.

In the event a Wildfire Strikes in your area, Take Action Immediately:

1. Review your Evacuation Checklist 2. Ensure your Emergency Supply

Kit is in your vehicle 3. Cover up to protect against heat and flying embers (wear long pants, long sleeve shirt, heavy shoes/boots, cap, etc.) 4. Locate your pets and take them with you

Leave as soon as evacuation is recommended by fire officials, don’t wait to be ordered by authorities to leave. Evacuating early also assists in keeping roads clear of congestion and allows firefighters to move more freely to do their job. • Officials will determine the areas to be evacuated and escape routes to use depending on the fire’s location, behavior, winds, terrain, etc.