If you live in an area at high-risk for tornadoes, consider building a safe room in your home. A safe room must be built to withstand high winds and flying debris. The Federal Emergency Management Agency provides free plans for building a safe room in your basement or by reinforcing a bedroom closet or bathroom. You can download safe room information and plans on FEMA's website.
Pack an emergency preparedness kit that will meet the needs of you and your family for three days. The kit, of course, will be handy in the wake of any natural or man-made disaster. An emergency preparedness kit needs to include food and water for each member of your family for three days, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, flashlight, spare batteries, first aid kit, can opener, local maps, moist towelettes, toilet paper, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation. Other items to consider include sleeping bags or blankets, paper towels, books, puzzles and games for children and pet food for family pets. A complete list of recommended items for an emergency kit can be found at Ready.gov, FEMA's emergency preparedness Web site.
Buy a NOAA weather radio and keep it on your nightstand. The radio will sound a loud alert when the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning for your area. This should give you time to gather your family at the safest spot in the house.
Be alert for threatening weather. Look for the following danger signs: dark, greenish sky, large hail, a large, dark, rotating cloud, a loud roar.
