Stay Safe During Storms | SERVPRO® of Allen

12/10/2020 (Permalink)

If your home is damaged due to a storm, SERVPRO of Allen is here to help. We will get the job done right, contact us today.

Here in Allen, we almost never have to shovel out from a winter storm. In fact, a snowy day comes as a rare pleasure most winters.

Still, weather this time of year poses challenges to people, pets and property. Let’s talk about keeping yourself, your loved ones and your home safe during storms—now and all year around.

Tornadoes

Yes, we can still have a tornado this time of year! To protect yourself and your loved ones during a tornado, look to this guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

Long-Term Planning

Establish a way to get information if power and internet are down, such as a battery-operated radio. Identify safe places to shelter in your home, or places to stay if your home is unsafe. And always have water, medications and non-perishable food on hand if the storm limits travel for a while.

Make sure your plan includes people with special needs, as well as family animals.

During Stormy Weather

Avoid travel, except to get to safety. Check the weather forecast frequently for storm watches or warnings. Also, know the signs of tornado:

• Clouds may appear low in the sky.
• Hail may fall.
• Sky may look black or green.
• You may hear a roaring noise.

If the Tornado Hits

Now it’s time to find shelter. The best place to stay is underground (as in a basement) or in a central part of a dwelling. A cubby under a central staircase is a good bet.

Bolster up. For added protection, you can pull a mattress around your shelter area or also get under a sturdy table.

Avoid glass. Keep out of rooms with glass windows, if possible.

Never, never shelter in a trailer. If you live in a mobile home, have a plan to find alternative shelter in place and make use of that plan at the first sign of a storm—well before a tornado hits. For instance, you could have a standing plan to stay with a relative when the NOAA has issued tornado warnings.

If a storm damages your home, we’re there for you. Contact us at any hour for assistance.