Don't Get Burned!; MetLife Auto & Home Offers Tips and Free Posters on the Perils of Wildfire.

Business Editors

WARWICK, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 8, 2003

While residents on the East have experienced severe cold and snowy weather this winter, the intermountain West has seen unseasonably mild weather and a lack of rain and snow, leading to drought conditions making the region susceptible once again to potentially dangerous wildfires.

The National Climate Data Center reports that fires burned more than 7.1 million acres of land nationally in 2002, including devastating fires in the western US from Colorado to California. According to the federal government's National Interagency Fire Center, long-term drought and below-average precipitation in much of the interior West is expected to increase the number of fires and wildfires this summer.

"With fire safety, it's always best to play it smart," said Bob Smith, vice president and chief claim officer for MetLife Auto & Home. "The better educated consumers are about fire hazards, the more likely they are to take preventative measures that could very well save property and -- more importantly -- lives."

To help the public safeguard loved ones and personal property against the threat of wildfire, MetLife Auto & Home offers free safety materials, including a child-friendly color poster featuring the PEANUTS(TM) characters and a comprehensive brochure of fire safety tips. Both are available free by calling 1-800-638-5433 (1-800- MET-LIFE).

"There are many things homeowners can do to protect their property and minimize the threat of wildfire," said Smith. One of the most important is to create a zone around the house that will slow the wildfire down, by creating a "survivable space" within 30 feet of the home (or 50 feet if you live in a heavily wooded area). This can be accomplished by:

-- Pruning all trees and shrubs.

-- Keeping branches on taller trees at least a minimum of six

feet from the ground.

-- Removing dead leaves and branches, especially around the roof

and chimney.

-- Clearing roofs, gutters, and eaves of debris.

-- Moving firewood and storage tanks 50 feet away from the home.

-- Storing flammable liquids properly.

The free poster, entitled "Fires and Wildfires," offers helpful tips on how to plan ahead, act quickly should a fire occur, prepare for an emergency situation, and access helpful websites for additional information. This colorful, easy-to-read poster features the beloved PEANUTS characters and has been endorsed by the Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) and the American Red Cross.

For a comprehensive look at fire safety protection, MetLife Auto & Home also offers a free brochure entitled "About...Fire Safety." The brochure is part of the popular, award-winning Life Advice series, and provides useful information on a number of fire-related subjects, including how to plan an escape route, seasonal safety tips, and safety information related to heating your home.

MetLife Auto & Home, an affiliate of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), is one of the nation's leading personal lines property and casualty insurance companies with more than 2.7 million policies in force. For more information about MetLife Auto & Home, contact your local MetLife Auto & Home provider or authorized Independent Agent, or visit MetLife's web site at www.metlife.com.

MetLife Auto & Home is a brand of Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company and its Affiliates, Warwick, RI. In Texas, home coverage is provided by Metropolitan Lloyds Insurance Company of Texas.