Even small tornadoes can be dangerous. That's why it's important to have a plan for staying safe if one should appear in your area. If you're at home, there are several places you can take shelter from the strong winds and flying debris. Here are the best places at home to be during a tornado:
Head for the Basement
The safest place to be during a tornado is underground. If your home has a basement or cellar, that should be the first place you plan to go to take shelter. Make sure you have a stock of emergency supplies, blankets and other things to help you stay safe and comfortable while waiting out the storm underneath your house.
Shelter in Your Bathroom
If you don't have a basement, the next best place to be in your house is an interior bathroom. A bathroom might be more cramped, but if it doesn't share any outside walls or have windows, it can be a safe alternative to going underground. The more walls you can put between you and the tornado, the better.
Avoid Upper Floors
While sheltering in an upstairs windowless room might be tempting, you should still avoid the upper floor if your house has multiple stories. Even without windows, the upper parts of the home can sustain more damage from winds and flying debris, so you're better off downstairs in another room.
Beware Falling Furnishings
Think about what might be in the rooms directly above you. Avoid sheltering underneath heavy furnishings like pianos or wardrobes that could fall through the ceiling. You should also be aware of the furnishings in your chosen sheltering spot and remove anything hanging from the walls for safety.
Take Cover
When in doubt, take cover under something sturdy like a dining table or desk. Using soft layers like pillows, blankets and even mattresses can help create a buffer against debris. No matter where you take shelter in your home, staying vigilant and following your disaster plan will help you handle a tornado.
About the Author
Judy Szablak
With over 30 years in the industry, Realtor Judy Szablak has been on national television for her real estate expertise on the HGTV Network, featured on Martha Stewart Living Radio "Morning Living” , NPR radio as an expert real estate panelist, It’s Relevant News channel, and quoted in the Wall Street Journal for her in depth knowledge of Fairfield County Connecticut real estate.
She was also on the local NPR radio station (WSHU) as a Fairfield County CT real estate expert. Judy has provided multiple online respected news sources with her real estate expertise including The Daily Easton, The Daily Weston, The Daily Fairfield, The Daily Stamford and The Daily Greenwich, as well as in print in the New York Post. She is a weekly Real Estate Columnist for WestportNow.com, another real estate column "Real Estate With Judy” is syndicated through Hearst CT Media Online and seen in The Connecticut Post, The Danbury News-Times, The Stamford Advocate, The Greenwich Time, The Hour, Fairfield Citizen, Westport News, Darien News, New Canaan News and the Wilton Villager.
Judy is also the author of the book, The Art of Buying or Selling a Home, available at all major book retailers. Additionally, Judy has been nationally recognized in a number of national real estate trade magazines, some with distribution to over 1 million members. She was featured in Real Estate Today as early as 1994 for her commitment to, and implementation of technology in real estate. Judy appeared in the Certified Residential Specialist Magazine, as she provided advice on marketing strategies and ethics in the article titled "Marketing Makeovers.”
Judy was also featured in REALTOR® Magazine, regarding image enhancement for Realtors. She was again featured in REALTOR® Magazine, in an article on "Achieving Flow” and operating at optimal peak performance. In another article in the same publication, Judy offered guidance to fellow real estate professionals as she explored the topic of implementing and maintaining personal websites. She has appeared in The Council of Residential Specialists Magazine, which featured her ideas regarding technology. Additionally, Judy authored an article on marketing and technology for the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Online Magazine. On two occasions, in 2015 and 2017, she appeared as a featured agent in Top Agent Magazine. I have a few other websites- www.TheCtrealtyBlog.com www.CtHomesAndRealEstate.com www.BestWestportHomes.com www.ThePetitePowerhouse.com www,SzablakConsulting.com
