Lehigh Acres Fire offers tips to keep your home, family safe from brush fires

Brush fires have been breaking out across Southwest Florida the past few days. As temperatures get hotter your may be wondering if your home is in danger.

It can happen in an instant. We’re in brush fire season and with the heat, wind and lack of rain, the Lehigh Fire Department is busier than it wants to be.

That’s why LFD spokesperson Katie Heck says it’s important for everyone to know how to protect their property.

“We want them to take that time to check your gutters, clear out your roof of all that dry brush, debris—that small ember could land on your roof and cause that to inflame. Those are the things that we want you to take care of right now,” she said.

What you want to do is create what firefighters call “defensable” space around your home.

“So you want to make sure that there is no brush growing into your yard, any kind of landscaping that you can do right now, it’s the time to do it,” Heck said.

With so many of us stuck at home, now is the time to get busy in the yard.

“Take advantage of the cool mornings and get that taken care of so your home is prepared when a fire comes,” Heck said.

One of the most important steps—have a plan for your family.

“This is a great time for you to have that conversation, you can draw out a map of your house, you should plan for at least two exits, and an emergency in any one of the rooms of your house. So that’s actually something really fun that parents can do with kids right now,” she said.

Steps that can save lives and homes.

Lee, Collier, Charlotte, DeSoto and Hendry counties are all currently under a burn ban because of the dry conditions.

The Lehigh Fire Department has more information on how to protect your home on their Facebook page.