For anyone who has a family member with special needs, the sirens that ring in light of a tornado warning are the most horrifying sounds they can hear.
While tornadoes don’t typically strike without warning, it doesn’t take long for them to quickly become more devastating and move toward surrounding areas that weren’t originally in its path. This is why, even if you know a tornado watch was issued, you must take the right steps to help your special needs family member get to safety.
You just received a tornado warning, and you can already feel the monster coming near. The first and only task on the list is to get your family to safety in your newly-installed safe room.
But is it equipped to keep you comfortable? Given that you don’t know when it’ll be safe to come back out, most experts recommend equipping your tornado shelter with all the necessities you and your family will need for an extended period.
Here is a list of all the things we think are necessary for your safe room emergency kit:
Food and Water
You should have enough food and water to last at least 5–7 days, per person. Although this may seem too much, you have to be prepared if an F4 or F5 tornado were to make landfall.
Keep in mind that as of July 2020, more than 500 tornadoes have been confirmed in the United States, with 84 deaths confirmed. And we still aren’t through tornado season. So, according to your household, prepare your tornado shelter by rationing the following non-perishable items:
Canned chicken and fish
Canned fruits and vegetables
Canned ravioli
Canned soup
Peanut butter and nuts
Beef jerky
Ready-to-eat meals
Granola bars
Trail mix
Crackers
Pet food, if you have pets
Baby food, formula, clean bottles, etc., if needed
In addition to the above products, you’ll also need one gallon of drinkable water per day per person. And keep in mind that even water can expire, so keep an eye on the expiration date for each bottle. Additionally, buy disposable utensils, bowls, and glasses so that each person can have their own.
Clothing
With clothing, your main focus is to keep everyone warm. For that, prepare your shelter by storing the following in an airtight box, so they’re kept safe from any critters or moisture:
Work gloves
Bike helmets
Heavy shoes
Warm socks
Warm clothes such as jackets, hats, and gloves
Extra clothing if your clothing gets damaged
First Aid Kit
In addition to all the necessities for a first aid kit, other things you’ll need to pack beforehand include:
Over-the-counter pain medication
All prescription medication for each person of the family
Non-latex gloves
Tweezers
Antibiotic ointment
Instant cold compress
Antibacterial wipes
Sanitary Supplies
In addition to necessary sanitary supplies such as toilet paper, hand sanitizer and more, other things you’ll need, include:
Trash bags
Extra diapers and wipes
An extra trash bag for the diapers
Portable tissue boxes
Wet wipes
Preparing For the Season
Especially if you live in Tornado Alley or any of the surrounding areas, you must take the right step for your safety.
At US Safe Rooms, we encourage all customers to invest in tornado shelters and safe rooms, so they have a secure facility to move to in case of a tornado. So, why not put your savings to good use?
US Safe Rooms offers safe rooms in Texas and Oklahoma. Get in touch with us, and prepare for tornado season the right way.
