Is your home ready for the So Cal Wildfire Season? It may seem a bit early to think about it. After all, the normal wildfire season doesn’t even begin until October, with the arrival of the ever so popular (insert sarcasm here) Santa Ana winds, but we have to remember that it came early last year. And, so far, this year seems to be shaping up to be about the same with the high temperatures, lack of rain and already a few wildfires in the area.

In 2009 August was the worst month for wildfires in Southern California. So, this year we decided to run our reminders and tips for protecting your home a bit early. If you’re considering a home remodel, now is the perfect time to look at the overall construction of your home and find places where fire-resistant materials can help you prepare for the worst.

There are several upgrades that can be made to a home which can help to make it more fire-resistant from windows to landscaping. Here are a few suggestions to consider:

Roofing – Any home’s most important defense is the roof. A Class A roof made of steel, aluminum, concrete, clay or slate will help to ward off the hot embers emitted from a nearby foliage fire.

Ceilings, Walls, and Floors – Fire-resistant gypsum wall board can be used in walls, floors and ceilings to create a stronger and longer lasting fire barrier.

Landscaping – What grows around your home can also be your first line of defense against wildfires. Many plants are simply fuel for a fire, however, there are those which can help save your home. Plants that should go include pines, cypresses, junipers and eucalyptus. Also get rid of shrubs near your home such as ornamental grasses, acacias, hopseed and berry vines. Vegetation that retains water such as ice plant, California lilac, Carmel creeper, ivy geranium and sedums are wonderful ground cover which can help to hold off a fire.

Decks – While providing the perfect family gathering spot to enjoy the gorgeous California weather, decks are an easy fuel source for wildfires. Fire retardant wood should be used to build the deck and then covered with a fire-resistant polyurethane coating. You can also isolate the deck from the fuels and fire by building a noncombustible patio and wall below it. The patio prevents combustible materials from getting below the deck. The wall helps shield the deck from both the radiant and convective energy of the fire.

Exteriors – Splurge on the stone, stucco, masonry and other exterior  alternatives instead of wood. Though more expensive, they can provide up to a two-hour fire rating which could save your home and, most importantly, your life.

Windows – Recently we’ve all heard a lot about the energy efficiency of dual- glazed windows but many people don’t think about the safety. During past wildfires, the exterior pane of many dual-glazed windows cracked but their interior pane held. Dual or triple-glazed windows with tempered glass and Low-E coating will add fire-resistance to your home by keeping out the radiant energy that can heat up indoor combustibles such as fabrics and wood, causing them to catch fire.

Doors – Just like roofing materials, doors are also fire rated. Metal doors are always best with a longer fire rating but if wood doors are a must-have, consider going with solid wood doors instead of hollow core ones. Regardless of your choice you must ensure that adequate weather stripping is installed on all exterior doors to keep out hot gasses and tiny burning embers during a fire.

Venting – Vents should not be located in roof eaves or cornices or in the underside or on exposed edges of decks. Required individual venting at gable ends and on roofs should be covered with a 1 ¼” mesh screen to keep out embers.

If you’d like to find out how we can help make your home safer during the wildfire season call us at 714-558-1094.

It’s time to Deck the Halls and, with the help of Audra Miller from AW Dezynes, we have some tips to make your home perfect for the holidays!

Begin The Show Outside- Pre-lit artificial garland and topiaries will set the stage for the main event waiting inside. Ornaments hung randomly from trees and other plants can add a lovely touch and a large wreath is a must for the entry door.

Set Your Color Scheme- Choose from the colors that you already have in your home to make it easier to decorate. Once you’ve picked a couple of basic colors choose from gold or silver accents to help blend the scheme throughout the home.

Start, Don’t Stop, With The Tree- While the tree may be the focal point of your home it also sets the stage. Barren walls and shelves will downplay a tree, no matter how ornate. Utilize garlands and wreaths on walls, banisters, railings and columns then add simple touches such as hanging stockings, lit villages and other nick-nacks to shelves and mantles.

Time To Set The Table- Whether your place settings will be elaborate or simple, a few small touches will add sparkle and a bit of magic to your dining table. Tie thin gold or silver ribbon into bows around wine glass stems, use matching gold or silver garland ties as napkin rings and place a single ornament in each bowl that will match your overall theme.

Take A “Bow”- No, not a bow for all the applause (though your beautiful decorating may very well deserve one). We’re talking about ribbons, and lots of them! Use coordinating ribbon to tie around chair backs, wind up columns, wrap basket handles, tie back curtains, and top off just about anything else in your home that you’d like to add a bit of holiday cheer to.

These are just a few simple ideas that can help make your holiday decorating smash hit. However, if you’re like me, and just can’t seem to find the time to get it all done you’re in luck! Audra offers holiday decorating services for both residential and commercial clients. She can help ease the stress of the holidays for you by taking care of all the designing, decorating, shopping, installation, tear-down and storage! Her team will utilize your existing decorations, enhance those with a few added touches or create a complete yuletide makeover to create your own personal winter wonderland! Contact her at 714-904-7431 for more information and see examples of her holiday decoration projects at http://www.awdezynes.com/holidaydecor.nxg.

The Orange Police Department has put together a fantastic list of tips for both Adults and Children to ensure that you have a safe and happy Halloween. The most important thing to remember is to have patience and pay attention to your surroundings at all times. You can click here for a printable copy of the tips from the Police Department.

Tips for Adults

• If attending parties, remember to not drink and drive. Always have a designated driver.
• Use extra care when driving on Halloween. There will be many pedestrians, especially children. Stay alert, be patient, and drive more slowly. Pay special attention when backing out of a driveway or parking space.
• Don’t drive with a mask on. It will limit visibility. Make sure your costume will not interfere with the safe operation of your vehicle.
• Keep pets indoors or secured in backyards. Costumes, heavy pedestrian traffic and unusual noises could create difficult situations involving your pets.
• Make sure the front of your home is illuminated and free of tripping hazards.

Tips for Trick-or-Treaters

• Where possible, trick-or-treating should be done before dark.
• Children should be accompanied by adults or older siblings.
• Those accompanying children should carry a cell phone for emergency calls.
• Openly discuss with children appropriate and inappropriate behavior at Halloween time.
• Remind children not to eat treats until they have been inspected. Adults should inspect candy and discard any unwrapped, spoiled or unusual items.
• Trick-or-Treaters are more visible in a group.
• Never cut through alleys or vacant lots.
• Remind children never to enter the home or vehicle of a stranger.
  Children should carry flashlights and wear something reflective to make them more visible after dark.
• Remain on sidewalks and only cross in crosswalks.
• Never assume the driver of a vehicle sees you.
• Immediately report suspicious activity to the police.

  THE ORANGE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND BURGIN CONSTRUCTION WISH YOU A SAFE AND FUN HALLOWEEN!