1.
Find your
safest place to wait out a storm.
If you
don’t have a basement or storm shelter, choose a small room without windows
such as a bathroom or central closet. Discuss this location with everyone in
your family.
2.
Create a
storm emergency kit. In a waterproof container, place flashlights, a battery-powered
radio, extra batteries, blankets, a first-aid kit, non-perishable food and a
large container of drinking water.
3.
Invest in
a generator. If your power goes out, a home generator can restore electricity
safely in as little as 10 seconds.
4.
Survey
trees for weak branches. Remove loose tree limbs to keep them from falling on your home or
car during a storm.
5.Buy
a NOAA Weather Radio. Available online or from electronics stores, weather
radios broadcast warnings, watches and other weather information from the
nearest National Weather Service office 24 hours a day, even when the TV or
other radios are turned off.
6.
Put aside
some emergency cash. If the power is out, ATMs and credit cards can’t be used.
7.
Secure
artwork and other loose items. Use v-hooks instead of nails to mount
paintings, which will allow artwork to shift without falling off the wall.
8.
Clear
your yard. Keep bikes, shovels and other items in the garage so they aren’t
flung around by windstorms.
9.
Document
your home’s contents. Walk through every room of your home to prepare a list of
possessions, taking photos and videos, to help with insurance claims later.
10.
Check
your insurance policies. Make sure your home and auto policies provide adequate coverage
for wind and hail storms.
