Tornado Preparedness:

Before a Tornado Watch or Warning Is Issued

The best precautions before a twister hits:

Determine the best location in both your home and place of employment in which to seek shelter when threatened by a tornado. A basement or cellar will almost always afford the best protection. If an underground shelter is not available, determine which interior room or hallway on the lowest floor provides the best protection. Preferably, you want a smaller room like a bathroom or closet enclosed on all four sides with a door. Also, if possible attached to a “load bearing wall”, that is, one that supports the main structure of the roof located towards the center of the home.

Conduct periodic tornado safety drills with your family. Children have an amazing memory when something is practised over and over again. However, their attentions spans are notoriously short so make it quick, consistent, and game-like while still emphasizing the importance of the information. My daughter can’t tell me the where I told her to put her toys when she has to clean her room but when asked what to do if her clothes catch on fire she’ll answer “Stop, Drop, and Roll!” everytime!

If you live in 'tornado alley', you should especially know the locations of designated shelters in places where you and your family spend time, such as public buildings, nursing homes and shopping centers. Ask whether your children's' schools have identified shelter space, most public schools are designated as Tornado Shelters.

Have emergency supplies on hand:

The American Red Cross recommends the following supplies

Water

• Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers, and ill people will need moreStore one gallon of water per person per day.
• Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for each person in your household for food preparation/sanitation).*

We suggest our 5-Year Shelf Life Guaranteed Water packets or boxes.

Food

• Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Include a selection of the following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit:
• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables
• Canned juices
• Staples (salt, sugar, pepper, spices, etc.)
• High energy foods
• Vitamins
• Food for infants
• Comfort/stress foods

We suggest using our 5-Year Shelf Life Guaranteed Food Ration Bars. They are high Protein, Low carbohydrate, low sodium (salt), non-thirtsing Energy Bars. They have a pleasant, almost aplle-cobbler like taste and one 1200 calorie Food Bar provides 100% of nutritional requirements per day. This avoids smelly trash, cold and slimy meat from and can, and can be carried easily and quickly if needed.

First Aid Kit

Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car.

• (20) adhesive bandages, various sizes.
• (1) 5" x 9" sterile dressing.
• (1) conforming roller gauze bandage.
• (2) triangular bandages.
• (2) 3 x 3 sterile gauze pads.
• (2) 4 x 4 sterile gauze pads.
• (1) roll 3" cohesive bandage.
• (2) germicidal hand wipes or waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• (6) antiseptic wipes.
• (2) pair large medical grade non-latex gloves.
• Adhesive tape, 2" width.
• Anti-bacterial ointment.
• Cold pack.
• Scissors (small, personal).
• Tweezers.
• CPR breathing barrier, such as a face shield.

Non-Prescription Drugs

• Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Antacid (for stomach upset)
• Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)
• Laxative
• Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center )

Tools and Supplies

Sanitation

Clothing and Bedding
*Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.

Important Family Documents: