A yard has to be maintained for safety as well as beauty. Unkempt brush and dry lawns can catch fire; so can sheds and woodpiles. Overhanging tree limbs, and entire diseased trees, can fall through a roof.

• Make sure that the street number of the structure is clear and legible from the street. This will ensure that emergency vehicles do not have not trouble locating you.

Figure 18: Landscape Layout

• A well-maintained yard is the key to preventing damage from fires and other disasters.

• Position trees at least 10 feet apart and at least 100 feet from the structure
• Remove any dead trees or trees that pose a threat of falling on the structure.
• Prune trees up to six feet from the ground and trim branches that extend over the roofs of buildings.
  
• Clean pine needles, leaves and other debris from roofs and gutters often.
  
• Mow the lawn and remove leaf clutter regularly.
  
• Be sure to irrigate the yard periodically.
  
• Enclose the undersides of aboveground decks with noncombustible materials, such as wire mesh, in order to prevent the buildup of leaves and other debris.
  
  
• For landscaping, plant native, fire-resistant vegetation, and avoid vines or climbing plants which may serve as a link between grass and treetops or roofs during a fire.
  
  
• Store firewood 50 feet away from the building, so as not to provide fuel for a fire.