If you live in an area with high risk for tornadoes, you should be prepared for everything by building a tornado shelter near your house. It is a good investment, for the safety and protection of the people you love. Instruct everyone how to act in the event of a tornado warning.

The assembly can also be used for hurricanes.

  1. Place it in secure area, without any trees that can collapse and split the concrete or other structures that can fall and destroy the shelter. Don’t forget to built it close to your house for an easy access.
  2. Search a company specialized in building storm shelters according to FEMA standards. You could do it yourself, but is safer to hire someone with experience, is your life we are talking about. You can still save some money if you dig it yourself. So the costs of the assembly can be somewhere around $3,000.
  3. Most common shelters are built at 4 ½ feet underground with 2 feet above ground. Use the dirt taken out from the shelter to make an interesting hill around it. This can also be of use in case of high water.
  4. Make sure that the company you hired uses steel reinforced concrete, heavy duty doors with a way of jacking it open if something blocks the opening. Also, a ventilation system has to be installed and stairs at the entrance.
  5. When the season for tornadoes strikes, fill the shelter with supplies and emergency kits. Decide what is of use for you and your family. Is better if you buy canned food with can opener, plastic cutlery, bottled water, dried fruits, flashlights, bandages, blankets, pain relievers , a small radio.
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