Weather Safety: How To Prepare For A Tornado In An Apartment In Westfield
If you live in the Midwest, you can count on severe storms annually. Odds are, your locale will even have a tornado warning at certain times. While everybody knows how to shelter in a house during a tornado, the recommendations for people in apartments is not as clear. When you don’t have a cellar to seek refuge in, here’s how to prepare for a tornado in an apartment in Westfield.
Tornado Sirens? Where To Shelter In Your Apartment Building
If the tornado sirens go off outside your Westfield apartment, where can you take shelter? Not many apartments have below-ground levels. You might not even live on the bottom floor.
While a small number of tornadoes are powerful enough to level a large apartment building, smaller tornadoes can still tear off roofs, uproot trees, or drive objects through windows. Always find shelter during strong winds or tornado warnings in one of these places:
- The sub-level of an underground parking garage
- The lowest floor of your building, and away from windows
- A neighbor’s first-floor apartment
- Interior halls or stairwells with no windows
- A windowless room or closet of your apartment
- Under a sturdy table
- Inside the bathtub with a thick blanket for protection
When you shelter, wear a bicycle helmet or cover your head with an oversized pillow for additional protection.
Be Prepared For Severe Weather
The smartest way to prepare for a tornado in your apartment in Westfield is to stay weather aware and plan ahead. Your plan needs to incorporate essential supplies if you are confined to your home or have to evacuate. Pick a designated location to stow your emergency preparedness kit and pack these items:
- Battery-powered radio
- Flashlight
- Extra batteries
- Spare set of apartment and car keys
- Mobile phone charger
- Money
- Medical kit
- Photocopy of your license or identification card
- Non-perishable snacks
- Bottled water
- Essential medications
- Pet essentials
Check your supplies every six months to ensure they still function, and switch out the water and snacks. When you hear a tornado warning, take shoes and appropriate clothing with you when sheltering.
Strong winds can easily damage electrical lines in your area. For power failures, keep these essentials ready:
- Non-perishable food that doesn’t need cooking
- Battery-powered lights
- A power bank for powering your cell phone
When prepared, you’ll endure any situation better and feel more reassured.
What To Avoid During A Tornado
Most people believe it won’t happen to them. You can reduce the risk of injury or worse in a storm by playing it smart. Seek shelter immediately and don’t
- Ride an elevator during a tornado
- Look out the window
- Go outside
- Take shelter under shelves, heavy decor, or tall furnishings
Make Harmony Your Home In All Types Of Weather!
We can’t prevent a storm, but we can offer an outstanding apartment living experience at Harmony Apartment Homes! You’ll feel completely at ease in one of our spacious apartments complemented by stunning amenities in a beautiful community. Contact (317) 795-0224 or arrange a tour to explore why we’re a desirable place to live in Westfield.