Kern County Fire Prevention Tips as California Wildfire Season Concludes

According to the experts at CalFire, California fire season is “not even close” to being over with. We need more than a few September showers to keep fires to a minimum in October, especially considering that some of the most damaging California wildfires in history have happened in the autumn months. With that in mind, here are some tips to reduce your risk of sustaining losses to wildfire.

1. Stay up to code.

For any business or commercial building, it’s imperative to comply with local fire alarm codes in Kern County. Fire alarms must be inspected and tested annually per state regulations; many businesses benefit from a testing schedule to help them stay compliant. Secure Systems frequently helps Kern County businesses with fire prevention and code compliance, from designing the systems per code requirements to filing fire alarm permits. We can also perform proper installation and create testing schedules.

2. Create defensible space.

It’s been a hot, dry summer — so even though California fire season is concluding, it’s important to prepare your property for the possibility of wildfire. CalFire says that if you haven’t taken steps to create 100 feet of defensible space around your property, now is the time to do it. Defensible space is intentionally cleared space around your building designed to protect your structure from wildfire. To create it, you’ll need to cut back or remove flammable vegetation. If there is any lumber or debris, that should be completely removed.

The idea of creating defensible space is to eliminate any materials that could catch fire and spread that fire to your home or business.

3. Choose Security Interventions

Every home is required to have working smoke alarms, and every business should consider commercial fire alarm systems (regardless of whether they are required to have one). A fire alarm system can ensure that you will have immediate response by the fire department and limit damage to the building and contents. In addition to these must-haves, there are other security technologies that can help protect people and property from wildfires. Considering that wildfire season in California is often compounded by the crime of arson, it’s also important to have video surveillance. With the presence of cameras, many potential arsonists can be deterred from acting on their impulses. It’s important to note that if your cameras are older than 10 years, it may be time for an upgrade. Technology has advanced dramatically, with cameras that record clearer, crisper images than ever before; this is exactly what you want in order to pinpoint intruders and suspected culprits of arson.

These are some of the most critical things to minimize your risks during the end of California wildfire season. To take advantage of our fire prevention systems, Kern County residents should contact Secure Systems for more information.

About Secure Systems

Secure Systems is a Bakersfield alarm company that installs alarms for homes and businesses. We also install residential camera systems and business camera systems, commercial and residential fire alarm systems, wireless monitoring, remote access alarm systems, access control and door buzzers in Bakersfield and Kern County. Call us today at (661) 326-1747.