Tornado Safety Tips
Get an Online Tornado Disaster Plan to Keep Your Family Safe
Use this tornado safety checklist to protect your family and home in the event of a tornado. Developing a disaster plan for tornado safety might just save your life.
If you live in tornado alley, which encompasses most of the Midwest and drops down to the Southeastern states, you're probably familiar with tornado safety drills and sirens, and may have had to evacuate in the past, too.
This year, make a new family tornado safety checklist to prepare for the tornado season:
- Have your escape route planned as part of your disaster plan. During a tornado, your best bet is to lay low. Your basement is your targeted tornado safety shelter if you have one; if you don't have a basement, be aware of where you can quickly evacuate to if necessary. If you're outside when a tornado hits, seek cover in a safe building or in a ditch, using your hands to protect your head and neck. If you live in a mobile home, talk to your neighbors or the park owner about tornado safety options.
- Have a portable radio (with new batteries) on hand as part of your tornado safety plan. You'll need to listen and be aware of the two reports given during a tornado: A tornado watch means that a tornado is possible. A tornado warning means that a tornado has been sighted; if you're in its path, you'll need to go to your tornado safety shelter immediately. A map lets you follow the path of the tornado if you're relying on the radio for tornado safety updates.
- An important part of your disaster plan involves putting together a supplies kit. The emergency kit should include everything you think you might need during a tornado- bottled water, flashlights, batteries, prescription medicine, a first aid kit, and snacks or essential food for your family, too. Make sure the kit is easily accessible in the event it's needed.
- Moving lawn furniture and trash cans out of the storm's path and removing dead limbs from trees in your yard can be a life-saving tornado safety precaution. Even small items can become dangerous when propelled by high winds.
- Set up a disaster plan with extended members of your family, too. Tornados typically strike during late afternoon and early evening, but they have been known to touch down in the middle of the night, too. Decide ahead of time who is responsible for calling whom as part of your tornado safety checklist.
Learn more about creating an emergency kit and find hurricane safety tips and business disaster plan tips online.
Talk back with a writer: share your best ideas for tornado safety with Lisa Nichols.
The copyright of the article Tornado Safety Tips in Home/Property Insurance is owned by Lisa Nichols . Permission to republish Tornado Safety Tips must be granted by the author in writing.
