IBHS Offers New Guidelines Aimed at Reducing Wildfire Risk to Property

Tampa, FL – May 6, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) today announced the availability of new guidelines to protect property from the ravages of wildfire.

The information pertains to homes and businesses, including farms and ranches, and is available in electronically and as hard copy printed brochures suitable for mailing or distributing at events. The printed series comprises three property-specific brochures:

• “Reducing Wildfire Risk: Residential” provides homeowners with strategies on how to reduce their wildfire risk;

• “Reducing Wildfire Risk: Commercial” describes risks faced by small and mid-sized businesses in areas vulnerable to wildfires; and

•   “Reducing Wildfire Risk: Farms and Ranches” details the unique wildfire threats farm and ranch owners face.

“Wildfire is a serious risk in 38 states around the country, threatening about 120 million people and their property,” said Julie Rochman, president & CEO, IBHS. “The number of destructive, expensive wildfires continues to rise, and whether or not a particular property survives a wildfire may depend largely on what people do now to prepare. We want to help property owners take control and minimize their risk by making their homes and businesses more wildfire-resistant.

“The IBHS guidelines are based on information from professional fire services and wildfire research, and address three key areas: structures, landscaping nearby and general vegetation in the larger area surrounding the structure. Each of these sources can be dealt with through maintenance, material and design improvements, and vegetation control,” explained Rochman.

The guidelines are publicly available in PDF format at www.DisasterSafety.org/wildfire. For more information, contact IBHS at (813) 286-3400 or info (at) ibhs (dot) org.

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IBHS is an independent, nonprofit, scientific and educational organization supported by the property insurance industry. The organization works to reduce the social and economic effects of natural disasters and other risks to residential and commercial property by conducting research and advocating improved construction, maintenance and preparation practices.

Contact:
Joseph King (813) 675-1045
jking (at) ibhs (dot) org
Twitter: disastersafety