SAFE SOSS® Is Here – Exclusive At Lowe’s!

Most Homes Lost in Wildfires Ignite From Wind-Borne Embers — Not Flames

What Homeowners Can Do to Reduce Risk

A wildland firefighter is on a mission to put professional-grade ember-defense tools into the hands of homeowners — and they’re already available at select Lowe’s stores.

When people imagine wildfire destruction, they picture a wall of flames sweeping through a neighborhood. While that can happen, research from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) shows that flames are often not what ignite homes.

The leading cause of home ignition during wildfires is wind-borne embers — also called firebrands.

The Ember Problem (and Why It Matters)

Embers are small burning pieces of vegetation or building material lifted and carried by wind. During a wildfire, they can travel up to a mile ahead of the main fire, land on roofs, decks, gutters, mulch, or fencing, and enter homes through small openings, vents, and gaps.

If an ember lands on something dry — or enters an attic through a vent — it can begin smoldering long before flames reach the property. Firefighters refer to this as an ember storm. By the time the fire front arrives, some homes are already burning from the inside.

The Key Insight

You don’t need a fireproof home — you need a home that’s difficult for embers to ignite. Small improvements — especially within the first 30 feet around your home — significantly increase survival chances.

Step 0: Create Defensible Space (The Foundation)

Before using any products, reduce fuels where embers can land. Fire agencies recommend:

• Maintain a 0–5 ft non-combustible zone around structures (no wood, no mulch).
• Reduce vegetation and fuels within 0–30 ft of the home.
• Clear leaves, pine needles, and debris from gutters and roofs.

Defensible space reduces ignition risk. Ember-focused preparation reduces ember entry points. Both matter.

A Practical, Ember-Focused Approach

Developed by a wildland firefighter, the SAFE SOSS® system supports homeowners with three targeted steps:

STEP 1 — BLOCK Embers at Vents

Product: Ember Guard Carbon Filter

Attic and crawlspace vents are among the most common ember entry points. Even approved metal mesh screens can’t stop fine embers.

• Installs behind existing vents — no vent replacement required.
• Helps reduce ember intrusion.
• Uses activated carbon to help filter wildfire smoke.

Stays installed year-round.

▶ Watch Step 1 Video

STEP 2 — SEAL Gaps Where Embers Sneak In

Product: Wildfire Ember Tape

High winds create pressure that pulls embers into small openings around:

• Garage doors (especially lower corners)
• Exterior door thresholds
• Windows with small gaps
• Pet doors or utility openings

The tape is applied temporarily during wildfire or high-wind conditions, then removed when the danger has passed. It can sometimes be reused if still in good condition, but new tape is recommended for new applications.

▶ Watch Step 2 Video

STEP 3 — DEFEND Nearby Vegetation & Wood

Product: Twice Over Wildfire Risk-Reduction Spray

Even if embers don’t reach the structure, they can ignite fuels nearby.

• Connects to a standard garden hose.
• Helps slow or stop ignition on wood and vegetation.
• Treats the 0–30 ft zone around the home.
• Has a five-year shelf life for advance preparation.

▶ Watch Step 3 Video

How the Steps Work Together

No product or program can guarantee a home’s survival — but reducing ember pathways reduces ignition opportunities.

What Remains Installed Year-Round

The goal is to make wildfire preparation simple when time is limited.

Learn More

Instructional videos, how-to guides, and product support:
👉 safesoss.com

Available online and in select Lowe’s stores:
👉 Shop SAFE SOSS at Lowe’s

Prepared homes give firefighters a better chance to defend neighborhoods — and homeowners a better chance to come home to one.