It’s important to always be prepared, especially when it comes to serious weather conditions like tornadoes. Installing an aboveground storm shelter will not only give you peace of mind for when disaster strikes, it could help save your life. For that reason alone, it’s vital to invest in only the highest quality tornado shelters you can find. Here are some considerations to bear in mind as you shop around for storm shelters.

Testing and Certification

Make sure that the company you work with goes through a rigorous testing procedure for each of their shelter models. You can tell if the builders are certified if they have established associations with independent organizations, such as the American Tornado Shelter Association. You don’t want to be the guinea pig for testing a shelter’s quality or safety — make sure that it meets all of the required standards before you buy.

Access and Ventilation

There are certain questions you should ask of your storm shelter builders: How does the ventilation work? How can a person exit if debris accumulates over the main door? Only 2% of tornadoes are serious enough to be considered “violent” and last for more than an hour, but it never hurts to be too prepared.

Installation and Warranty

Whether you’re looking for an aboveground tornado shelter to be installed in the interior or exterior of your home, you’ll want to consider how long it takes for builders to set up the structure so that you can plan your schedule. When cost is a factor keep in mind the available warranty on each shelter, too. In the long run, a 10-year warranty storm shelter can be a smarter purchase than one with a warranty of only five years or less.

The safety of you and your family is more valuable than anything else. If you’re in need of a storm shelter, contact us at Valley Storm Shelters to learn more about our available models, custom additions, and financing options. This is an investment that you don’t want to take lightly, so take the time to do your research and make the decision that’s best for you.