World

3 Smart Strategies to Protect Your Home From Wildfires

Published

2 years ago

March 29, 2021

For many, wildfires are synonymous with destruction. They can create unmeasurable havoc and cost the lives of both humans and wildlife. On the other hand, controlled forest fires present several benefits to the environment, such as clearing grasses and bushes to prevent future fires, removing forest debris, eliminating unwanted insects and diseases, and accessibility to more nutrients due to the exposed sunlight.

In the United States, from 2011 until 2020, more than 60,000 wildfires were recorded annually, and an average of 7.5 million acres was destroyed yearly. As a homeowner, wildfires can only mean unnecessary stress and financial damages. Here are some necessary measures that you can take to protect your home from this undesirable catastrophe.

Invest in high-quality non-flammable housing materials

It might be easier to fire-proof your house if you are in the construction stage, since you can build it entirely with fire-resistant materials. For existing homeowners, an alternative would be to install materials that could prevent your house from burning. Consider replacing your roof with non-combustible material such as tile, slate, concrete, copper, metal, and clay. Reroofing could be expensive, but a quality roof will prove to be a worthy investment over time. Embers from a nearby wildfire can creep inside your house through your roof, walls, or windows, so ensure that all exterior openings are adequately covered.

Replace your windows with fire-resistant glass such as tempered or double-plane, as they can effectively withstand high-temperatures. You can also install smoke alarms and high-performance exterior sprinklers. If possible, cover your outside walls with durable materials such as bricks, gypsums, and concretes.

Keep your house clean at all costs

A clean house has a higher chance of reducing the damage caused by wildfires or even regular house fires. Make sure to regularly clean your gutters to avoid the build-up of dried leaves and if you have a wood deck, remove dried plants or vegetation. Secure the surroundings of your house and keep fire-hazards such as firewood piles, grills, propane tanks, and even organic fertilizers at least 30 feet away from your home. Remove low-hanging tree branches, and try not to overcrowd your plants when gardening.

Collaborate with your neighbors and consider alternatives

If you live in a heavily-populated community, there is a higher chance that wildfires will spread faster, so everyone in your neighborhood must be on the same page when it comes to fire prevention. Your community will be safer if everyone is properly educated, and keep in mind that fire safety is a collective effort. Discuss with your neighbors about possible programs that your community can participate in or precautions that you can take within your area. Remember that in any scenario, having a proactive approach is almost always better than a reactive one.

It is also vital that your house is insured. Ensure that your fire insurance covers wildfires, and do not hesitate to get assistance from a public adjuster such as TSO Adjustment Service to help you with your claim.

It is vital for homeowners, especially those living in fire-hazard zones, to safeguard their homes from wildfires. By doing so, you are giving your loved ones a higher fighting chance of surviving this unfortunate event.

World

Top Road Trip Destinations in Canada

Published

2 months ago

April 16, 2023

Jenny Jackson

Did you know that 1.93 million Americans traveled to Canada in 2020? That number was down year-over-year due to COVID-related travel restrictions.

While some Americans visit the Great White North via plane, others prefer road trips. It can be fun to plan an itinerary, book a hotel, pack the luggage, load your family into the car, and head to the border. But if a road trip to Canada is in the plans for you and yours this summer, what Canadian destinations are worth the potentially thousands of miles of driving? Keep reading to learn about the top road trip destinations in Canada.

Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan

Grasslands National Park is one of Canada’s 44 national parks and park reserves. Whether you’re an earlier bird or a night owl, the national park in Southern Saskatchewan provides an ideal prairie landscape. It’s the perfect place to unwind, immerse yourself in nature, and recalibrate your life.

Enjoy the great outdoors on a campsite, or take part in hiking adventures by exploring trails. The solitude and breathtaking beauty of this national park will leave you in awe. Make time for the Ecotour Scenic Drive. It’s about 20 km (around 12.5 miles) long and will take one to three hours to complete depending on your pace.

Toronto to Stratford, Ontario

If there’s one Canadian city most Americans have heard of, it’s Toronto. Toronto, the capital of Ontario, is the fourth largest city on the continent. It’s also home to the only authentic castle in North America. Casa Loma, located in midtown Toronto, is worth the visit. So, too, is the CN Tower, which is the biggest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere. The city also has citizens representing 200+ ethnic groups.

While there’s plenty to see and do in Toronto, why stop there? It’s a good idea to include a Toronto-to-Stratford excursion while on your road trip to Canada. You must travel 150 km (about 93 miles ) west to get to Stratford. You’ll see Victorian architecture and get to take in the live theater. Most Americans probably haven’t heard of Stratford before. But when you come for a visit, there’s a good possibility you won’t ever forget it.

North Cape Coastal Drive, Prince Edward Island

If you haven’t ever taken a road trip to Prince Edward Island, you don’t know what you’re missing. It’s Canada’s smallest province, but it sure offers a boatload of fun. Are you a foodie or do you like to indulge in the local cuisine when traveling? Check out the western peninsula. You can delight your tastebuds with the range of food available.

Make time to visit the Canadian Potato Museum in the province. After taking in the sites and attractions at the museum, enjoy a meal at the onsite PEI Potato Country Kitchen. The menu has items like the chili topped baked potato, which features a baked potato, homemade chili, and cheese. Meanwhile, the pulled pork potato features a baked potato topped with pulled pork, cheese, and sour cream on the side. That’s just a sampling, and all baked potato dishes are served with fresh-cut, homemade chips.

If you’re intersted in a U.S. to Canada road trip this year, the options above will give you some ideas. The sky’s the limit since there’s so much to see and do.

You’ll want to ensure your vehicle is in good working order to avoid breakdowns. You’ll also want to stay alert on the road since you’ll be traveling a lot of miles and spending hours behind the wheel of your car.

If you get into an accident, you must know what to do. In addition to reporting the accident, calling your insurer, and possibly even booking a rental car to complete your road trip, you’ll want to contact a personal injury lawyer if anyone is injured.

No one wants to consider accidents or injuries when on a road trip. But it’s best to hope for the best while being prepared for the worst. You’ll enjoy the journey and the destination a lot more when you’ve done everything possible to prepare for any possible issues.