What to Do to Avoid Being Trapped Inside a Storm Shelter
Suppose you live in an area prone to tornadoes and other natural calamities. In that case, you probably know that a storm can hit when you least expect it and that anything can happen during the unfortunate event. The only thing you can do is make sure your family is well-prepared for it.
Even if you have the strongest storm shelter on the planet, you may get trapped in it during the storm. Powerful tornadoes can uproot trees and level houses in a matter of seconds. So, there’s a great chance that the debris may pile up on top of your storm shelter. The mere thought of being trapped inside a storm shelter sounds scarier than the storm itself.
Here are some valuable tips on how to prevent getting trapped inside a storm shelter.
Safety Tips For When You’re Trapped Inside A Storm Shelter
If you live in an area that experiences frequent tornadoes and storms, you know that a powerful storm can create real damage in a heartbeat. You’ll also know that the debris that the wind picks up doesn’t just go away - it ends up in streets, cars, and even on top or against storm shelters.
Though the thought of being trapped inside a storm shelter for any length of time might be scary, it’s important to remember that anything can happen, and the actual chance of this happening is small. Here is a shortlist of things to help you prevent being trapped and help you stay safe and calm if you do end up trapped during a storm.
Show Your Storm Shelter to Your Family and Friends
When trapped inside a storm shelter, there’s no way you can escape on your own. You'll most certainly require external help. Therefore, one of the first steps is to make sure that your family and friends who live away know that you have a storm shelter and where it’s located. This way, they’ll know where to rescue you from should you get trapped after a storm.
Register Your Storm Shelter
Sometimes, family and friends aren’t close enough to timely respond or are unaware of the unfortunate event. Therefore, relying on them alone can be risky. It’s wise to register your storm shelter to be on the safe side.
You should contact your local Sheriff’s department or Emergency Management Agency (EMA) to determine how to register your shelter. It may be as simple as providing your address or GPS coordinate to the proper first responder agency or in some cases applying for a permit. In some states there will be a phone number on your permit that you can call to register your storm shelter. This way, the rescue authority, which is usually the first responder, will know where to find you when a storm hits your property.
Keep Emergency Supplies Inside Your Shelter
One tip that you should consider to help you stay safe during a storm is to keep emergency supplies inside your shelter. That way, if you are trapped, you have a little comfort while you wait for help.
We’ve built a list of all the things you should have in your shelter, but we thought we should reiterate some of those items. Blankets, jackets, and water are all essential items to keep in your shelter. We also recommend flashlights, spare batteries, non-perishable food items, and a battery-operated radio so you can keep track of the weather. Additionally, it might be a good idea to keep some entertainment options inside your shelter, especially if you are waiting out the storm with young children. Toys, books, and games can go a long way to keeping your mind and your family’s mind off the outside storm.
Choose The Safest Storm Shelter On The Market
While the above-explained tips should help you stay safe with storm shelters, the strength of a storm shelter itself plays a significant role in providing full protection.
There are many parts of the country where tornadoes and other extreme weather can strike at any moment. A severe storm can hit when you least expect it, so give yourself the peace of mind that comes with Valley Storm Shelters. They are a quick and easy solution to make sure your family stays safe. Plus, our underground storm shelter options have Hydraulic Lift cylinders that can lift up to 12,000 lbs of debris.
If family safety is a top priority for you, don’t take any chances. Invest in the most robust storm shelter on the market offered by Valley Storm Shelters. To learn about the best storm shelter options, visit our storm shelter page.