Preparing for a disaster at home is key to staying safe in the event of an emergency. However, every home is different, and the likelihood of you being away from home when a disaster occurs means you should prepare for as many possible situations as you can. For tornado safety, the guidelines can vary depending on where you are at the time of a storm. Here are some safety tips to help you in any situation:
The safest place to be in a house is on the lowest floor and away from windows. Choose a room on the interior of the home's layout so that you have as many walls between you and the outside as possible. If your house has a basement, sheltering there is your best option, though small windowless bathrooms and closets can also work well.
If you live in an apartment, it can be a bit trickier to follow the general guidelines regarding basements and windows. Apartments on upper floors are at greater risk than those below, so if you can find a place to shelter on the ground floor, either with a neighbor or in a common area, you should consider it. If these options aren't available to you, choose an interior room like a bathroom.
If you're in a multi-story commercial or office building during a storm, it's not always easy to get to the ground floor in a hurry. However, finding an interior room without windows is still a good option for safety. Supply closets, conference rooms and bathrooms are worth considering, but beware falling objects from shelves or cabinets. Otherwise, a stairwell is a structurally sound place to be during a tornado, ideally as close to the ground as possible.
If you're driving when a tornado touches down, don't try to drive away from it. Instead, park and find shelter inside a building as quickly as possible. Avoid driving underneath bridges or overpasses, as they can be extremely dangerous in strong winds.
It might seem like a lot to remember, but the more of these tips you know, the safer you'll be in any disaster.
Nicolette is a full-time licensed real estate agent working with residential and commercial buyers, sellers, and renters. Growing up in Eastchester, graduating from Marist College and branching out to Manhattan before returning to her roots has created deep ties to Westchester while understanding what a NYC buyer wants when relocating to the suburbs.
Bringing nearly a decade of extensive experience in sales, interior design, marketing, and customer service from her Manhattan career while working with esteemed companies such as Elle Décor Magazine and various companies under the Herman Miller brand, Nicolette encompasses an effective fusion of suburban warmth and city tenacity. Her enthusiasm for helping others combined with her determination to close deals helps her simultaneously connect her with clients on a personal level while conducting business in the most professional of ways. It’s this connection that leads to a seamless and successful Real Estate transaction.
When not working, Nicolette enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and puppy. Professionally, she prides herself using those same personal values of loyalty, honesty, attentiveness, and being detail-oriented. She values all client relationships and makes it her goal to provide exceptional service and guaranteed satisfaction. Her intimate knowledge of the area, having lived in Westchester all her life, gives her enthusiasm and a desire to make her home, your home.
In July 2015, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services (BHHS) acquired Tri-Crest Realty and Prudential Centennial Realty and has been one of the most successful offices in lower Westchester County since 2000. With over 1,800 Realtors in 55 offices in the Northeast and 51,600 agents in 1,600 offices in 47 states nationally, BHHS is the #2 company in Barron’s ranking of the world’s most respected companies; ranking #3 in Fortune Magazine’s 50 Most Admired Companies survey.