April 17, 2024
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Tornado safety services by Oklahoma Shelters

How to Secure Your Home Against Tornadoes: A Step-by-Step Safety Plan

Category : Blog

Tornadoes are unpredictable forces of nature that can cause significant damage to homes and threaten lives. That’s why, it’s crucial to have a comprehensive safety plan in place.

In this blog, we’ll outline a step-by-step tornado safety plan to help you secure your home against tornadoes, ensuring the safety of your family and property.

Understanding Tornado Safety

Before diving into the specifics of securing your home, it’s essential to understand the basics of tornado safety. Familiarize yourself with tornado warning signs, designate a safe room or shelter area in your home, and establish a communication plan with your family members. Remember, early detection and preparedness are key to staying safe during tornado season.

Assessing Vulnerabilities

Begin by assessing your home’s vulnerabilities to tornado damage. Identify weak points such as windows, doors, and the roof that may be susceptible to high winds and flying debris. By identifying potential hazards, you can take proactive steps to fortify your home and minimize damage.

Reinforcing Structural Elements

Once you’ve identified vulnerable areas, take proactive steps to reinforce them. Install impact-resistant windows and doors, secure roof trusses and rafters with hurricane straps, and strengthen garage doors to withstand high winds. Additionally, consider retrofitting your home with tornado-safe rooms or shelters for added protection. These reinforced structures can provide a safe haven during severe storms, ensuring the safety of you and your loved ones.

Securing Outdoor Items

Don’t overlook the importance of securing outdoor items that could become hazardous projectiles during a tornado. Anchor down patio furniture, grills, and other outdoor equipment, and trim trees and shrubs to reduce the risk of falling branches. Securely store loose items such as gardening tools and toys in a safe location, preferably indoors or in a sturdy shed.

Creating an Emergency Kit

Make an emergency kit that include food, first-aid supplies, flashlights, clothers, batteries, and important documents. Keep the kit in your designated safe room or shelter area for easy access during an emergency. Additionally, consider including items such as a weather radio, portable charger, and cash in case of power outages or other emergencies.

Establishing a Communication Plan

Develop a communication plan with your family members to ensure everyone knows how to stay connected during a tornado. Designate a central meeting place in your home to gather during a tornado warning.

Practice regular tornado drills to reinforce safety protocols and ensure everyone knows what to do. Additionally, keep emergency contact information handy and establish a plan for communicating with loved ones outside of your immediate area.

By following these step-by-step guidelines, you can enhance the safety and resilience of your home against tornadoes. Remember, preparation is key to effectively weathering severe storms and protecting your loved ones.

For additional peace of mind, consider investing in a tornado-safe room or shelter from Oklahoma Shelters. Stay safe, stay prepared, and stay informed.

June 11, 2022
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People standing next to a custom-made storm shelter.

Essentials and Valuables To Keep Inside A Safe Room

Tags : Safe room safe rooms Oklahoma shelter storm safe shelters

Category : Oklahoma Storm Shelters

A safe room is a safe place where you can retreat during a natural disaster or other emergencies. In the event of an earthquake or tornado, the safest place to be is in the center of your home, away from glass, on a lower level, and away from any external walls, especially windows. If a safe room is going to be used as a shelter in the event of a disaster, it’s important to make sure that this room is stocked with the right supplies. A safe room isn’t intended for long-term living; it’s meant to provide temporary protection until help arrives. If you’re planning on using your safe room for more than 24 hours, consider adding basic provisions as well as storing your most valuable possessions.

Food

There should be enough food and water stored in the safe room so that everyone in your family can stay there for up to 72 hours without having to leave for more supplies. Water purification tablets are also helpful in case city water becomes contaminated after an emergency occurs.

First Aid Kit

This should contain bandages, scissors, antiseptic wipes, and other items needed to treat wounds. It’s also a good idea to have extra medicine such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen available. There should also be a fire extinguisher.

Information Tool

You’ll need a battery-powered radio or television with cable or satellite service so you can listen to updates on what’s happening outside.

Flashlight and Batteries

You’ll also need a flashlight, batteries, and candles. A flashlight will allow you to see once the lights go out because of an electrical outage or other disaster situation. Batteries should also be stored in case your flashlight runs out of power before you’re done using it.

Shelter from the Elements

Blankets, sleeping bags, and pillows will keep everybody warm during cold nights and rainy days when you’re holed up inside a safe room during an emergency.

Storing Valuables

You need to store your cash as well as precious metals and coins in the safe room. If you are a crypto investor, then you might have to store your hard wallets as well. You can also store firearms if they are legal as well as anything that holds sentimental value to you. You should also store your essential documents like your marriage and birth certificates.

Storm Shelters in Oklahoma City, OK

A good quality shelter will keep you safe from most natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes. At Oklahoma Shelters, we help people protect their families as well as their essential documents and other valuables. We provide FEMA-approved storm shelters, safe rooms, and underground bunkers that are affordable and don’t compromise on quality.

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