Tornado safety precautions may save your life

There are several precautions you should take before the tornado siren blows. Protect yourself, your family and your house by following some basic safety measures.

Precautions to take in advance

To safeguard your home against tornado damage, keep trees and shrubbery trimmed. Cut weak branches and trees that could fall on your house.

Decide where you will seek shelter during a tornado watch or warning. The safest part of your home is the centermost part of your basement (or main floor if you don't have a basement)-away from windows and under something sturdy like a work bench or staircase. The more walls between you and the outside, the better.

Make sure everyone in your family knows what to do in the event of a tornado or severe weather watch or warning.

Designate a place for your family to reunite if you become separated. Establish a contact point to communicate with concerned relatives.

Create an emergency kit that includes a three-day supply of drinking water, food that you don't have to refrigerate or cook, first-aid supplies, portable radio, work gloves, basic tools, a flashlight, portable lanterns, fresh batteries, clothing, blankets, prescription medication, credit cards, cash, extra car and house keys, and important papers.

Contact your insurance agent and make sure you have the proper coverage in place.

If building or remodeling

Make sure your doors have at least three hinges and a dead bolt security lock with a bolt at least one inch long. Anchor door frames securely to wall framing.

Consider installing an impact-resistant sliding glass door system made of laminated glass, plastic glazing or a combination of plastic and glass.

Garage doors-especially those more than eight feet wide-are highly susceptible to wind damage. If your garage door is more than eight feet wide, install permanent wood or metal stiffeners. You may also obtain a temporary center that is easily attachable when severe weather threatens.

If you want to give your roof sheathing added protection, but it's not time to re-roof, glue the sheathing to the rafters and the trusses.

Be sure to properly brace the end wall of a gable roof to resist high winds. Check the current model building code for high wind regions for appropriate guidance or consult with a qualified engineer or architect.

In order to resist high wind damage, it's very important that the point at which your roof and foundation meet is secure and stable. Anchor the roof to the walls with metal clips and straps.

Make certain your walls are properly anchored to the foundation. A registered design professional can determine if these joints need retrofitting.

If your house has more than one story, make sure the upper story wall framing is firmly connected to the lower framing.

When the bad weather hits

During a tornado watch, move anything in your yard that could become flying debris inside your house or garage. If there is a tornado warning, leave these items outside.

Don't open your windows. This does not keep your house secure as once thought. In fact, it may just make matters worse by allowing rain inside.

Go to your designated shelter area.

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