Contact:
Karl Newman, President      
Darrin Sanger, Communications Director
NW Insurance Council    
Phone: (206) 624-3330
Fax: (206) 624-1975
karl.newman@nwinsurance.org
darrin.sanger@nwinsurance.org

SEATTLE -Arid, hot temperatures have left much of the Northwest vulnerable to destructive wildfires. Add hot, arid weather and many experts predict a record-setting wildfire season.

Homeowners are reminded that adequate insurance and simple precautionary steps can help protect their families and property.

"The loss of life and property from wildfires is tragic," said Karl Newman, president of NW Insurance Council. "The good news is that you can reduce your risks dramatically by taking some simple precautions."

Last year, 1,347 fires charred more than 11,200 acres of Oregon wildland. With conditions this summer expected to be as bad or worse than in 2006, Northwest residents near high-risk lands are urged to take preventive measures.

The NW Insurance Council offers these tips to help residents protect their families' lives, property and assets:

• Review your insurance policy - Contact a representative from your insurance company or your insurance agent to discuss coverage.

• Make sure you have the appropriate amount of insurance if you've recently made additions to your home.

• Be accessible and visible - Make sure that your house number can be seen from the street. If firefighters can't find you, they can't help you.

• Fireproof your rooftop - The roof is the most vulnerable part of your home when it comes to fires. Replace wood-shake roofs with less flammable material, when possible. Clear needles and leaves from your gutters and roof regularly.

• Defensible Spacing - Clear brush 30 to 100 feet from your home. Keep your yard well groomed and watered. Remove old stumps and weak or diseased trees from your property. If you notice tree branches touching power lines, contact your local utility company. Build exterior wood structures 30 feet or more from your home.

• Home interior precautions - Replace batteries in smoke detectors in every room of your home at least tNW Insurance Councile a year. Maintain a home inventory of all of your possessions, including descriptions and serial numbers. Keep your home inventory in a fireproof safe or off of the premises.

• Home exterior precautions - Install screens on chimneys, stovepipes and attic openings. Trim trees that overhang the home to prevent fire in trees from easily spreading to the roof of the house.

You can find more tips to safeguard your home from wildfire in NW Insurance Council's new brochure, Firestorm - Northwest Wildfires: Protecting Yourself. If you'd like a free copy, call (800) 664-4942, or visit http://www.nwinsurance.org.

The NW Insurance Council is a nonprofit, consumer education organization funded by member insurance companies serving Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

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