In the event of a tornado, a storm shelter will help protect you and your family. However, that doesn’t mean the safety of your home is completely free from your mind. While there’s nothing you can do to prevent natural disasters, you can lessen the damage to your assets by taking the following advice.

3 Tips for Fortifying Your House From Storms

1. Bolster Your Roof

If your roof has any vulnerabilities, high winds can force shingles to come off or water may get underneath them. Furthermore, as pressure builds up against the inward, sideward, and leeward walls, it can cause your roof to collapse outward. To prevent this, make sure yours is professionally inspected annually to check how it’s holding up and perform the necessary repairs. Install roofing straps fastened to your roof’s trusses to help hold it in place during heavy winds.

2. Clean Up the Exterior

Even if the tornado doesn’t hit your home, items blowing around in the strong winds can do some serious damage. Remove or secure outdoor furniture, planters, and play equipment to reduce the risk of them becoming projectiles. Take a look at the trees around your home as well. Those situated too near your home or power lines should be removed. 

3. Make a Utility Plan

In the moments before you leave for the storm shelter, turn off your utilities. A tornado can lead to downed power lines and gas and water line breaks, which could cause your home to catch fire or flood. This preventive measure can also protect your electronics and appliances from power surges.

If you live in a tornado-prone area, such as Purcell, OK, turn to G&M Tank Co. for a quality storm shelter. They’ve been providing peace of mind and viable solutions for safety during storms for over 45 years. They build concrete protective structures that can hold eight to ten people comfortably. Visit their website to learn more about their shelters and other services or call them today at (405) 527-5342 to request a free quote.