HOW TO PROTECT YOUR VACATION HOME FROM FIRE.

Everyone dreams of building a home away from home. A place your family can enjoy during their vacation. It can be at the lake, the ocean or in a forest. But if your vacation home is in or near a forest you have to be extra careful with fire. Or your dream home could go up in smoke. So here are just a few simple rules to remember.

WATCH OUT FOR TREES. A tree-shaded home is cool and beautiful. But a tree too close to your home can be dangerous. So always be sure to remove any part of tree that comes within 10 feet of the opening of a chimney or stovepipe.

LOOK OUT FOR WIRES. Electricity helps to make a vacation home more comfortable. But the wires carrying the electricity to your home can cause a fire if not properly maintained. So be sure to call your local power company if there are wires rubbing against tree branches or the roof of your home.

SCREEN YOUR CHIMNEY. It wouldn't be a vacation without a roaring fire in the fireplace. But sparks from your chimney can wander into nearby brush if they're not controlled. So always attach a non-flammable screen to the top of your chimney or stovepipe. And be sure the openings in the screen are no more than 1/2 inch in size. That way you'll trap your sparks before they get away. If you're not sure what kind of screen is best for your chimney, check with your local fire department.

CUT BACK THE BRUSH. Dry grass, brush, weeds and branches don't look very nice lying around your home. And what's more, they're dangerous. So pick the dry branches. And cut back the dry weeds and brush. So in case a fire does start near your home, you'll have a ready-made fire break.