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Prepare For A Tornado

By Kimberly Shane

Prepare for a Tornado

canstockphoto29473449.jpgGrowing up in Tornado Alley, we almost became accustomed to hearing the word tornado watch daily in the spring. These destructive forces do not provide much warning, unfortunately, but there are things that you can do to prepare your home and protect it.

First and foremost, have a safe location in mind to go if there is a tornado warning in your area. This could be a basement or a safe room. If these options aren’t available to you, you can move to an interior room of your home, think first floor bathroom! 

home-damaged-by-tornado.jpgAlmost as important, you will want to make sure your insurance is up-to-date and comprehensive.  If you have changed anything structurally, including additions, you will need to update your insurance. You will also want to inventory your belongings and store this online or in a safe location inside your home—this will help you to ensure that your contents’ coverage is adequate, should you need to replace items lost during a storm.

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Sure, you have insurance but who wants to have to use it?  You want your home to be prepared to make the best defense it can against a tornado, or any storm, for that matter. Make sure your home is up to the local building codes and if you are in an area prone to storms, you can retrofit your home to be more resistant to high winds and heavy rains. It is recommended that you seek professional help to examine your garage for stability, secure your chimney, identify any loose building components and secure any shingles.

Of course, the most important thing during a natural disaster is that everyone is safe but it would be nice not to have to do many repairs following a storm!

 

Image and Inforamtional Source: http://www.homes.com/blog/2016/07/tornadoes/

 

Tags: safety, weather, environment