Natural disasters can hit any time, and family preparedness is the most important thing. Every family needs to have a plan in place that they can quickly turn to if things worsen. One of the disastrous weather threats in the united states is tornadoes, which come uninvited and threaten thousands of family lives. However, there is always room for preparedness to protect your family before, during, and after the disaster.Tornado storm shelters come in handy during disastrous tornadoes to keep your family safe until the disaster passes. Check out other ways to stay safe during a tornado.

Identify hazards

First and foremost, you should understand your state, city, and the weather extremities it is prone to. Note that some states are more prone to tornadoes than others. Identify what disasters are likely to happen in your region and learn how to prepare for each of them. Every community has a tornado warning system, for instance, through sirens, and you should be aware of that. Also, identify local organizations that cover emergencies and how to contact them.

Stay alert

Stay alert and learn how to differentiate between a tornado watch and tornado warnings. For instance, local radio stations always provide tornado warnings and on-air coverage whenever there is severe weather. A cell phone also offers an excellent way to stay alert during extreme weather, so ensure you have the weather notifications on during weather extremities. Consider buying a weather radio that broadcasts on the state of the weather, official warnings, and weather forecasts 24/7. Moreover, educate yourself on any disaster plans in your community or workplace early enough.

Identify the safest places to shelter.

In addition to having a tornado shelter, you should identify other safe areas that you can shelter in emergencies or when some family members can’t access the tornado shelter. The basement is the next safe place in your home during a tornado’s violent winds. Note that permanent structures are the safest place to be in during a tornado. Suppose you are caught up in a car during a tornado, exit immediately, and enter a nearby sturdy structure. Trailers are also very light and can topple off due to a tornado’s strong winds, so you should avoid that as well.

Keep off dangerous places.

When a tornado strikes, keep off dangerous places such as under bridges, upper-level floors, or warehouses. If you live on an upper-level floor, try to immediately find shelter on the first or ground floor. Warehouses and empty rooms tend to vulnerable to collapse during tornadoes. Always find a small and enclosed space to shelter in and avoid outer walls. Being outdoor is never safe during tornados; however, if you find yourself in such a situation, avoid trees and free-standing objects. Instead, find a low lying area, lie flat and cover your head.

Protection measures

During a tornado, you can only protect yourself. If possible, always keep a helmet at hand. If not, cover your head with your arms or pull a nearby mattress and hold it over your head. Wherever you shelter, be loud so that the first responder can locate you and always keep shoes on to avoid injuries when you step in hazardous materials. If you find yourself trapped inside a building, avoid lying power lines, sharp objects, and other dangerous objects.

The bottom line

Ensure you have a disaster management plan and practice it regularly with your family.

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