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7 ways to tornado-proof your property

Tips from RSA on how to protect yourself and your business.

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“Tornadoes can strike in a matter of moments but there are measures that can be taken ahead of time to protect yourself and mitigate damage to your home or business,” said Larry Lythgoe, RSA’s regional claims director for the Ontario Region. “There are also steps you can take to make the insurance process hassle free if you are to experience damage.”

RSA recommends the following advice.

It’s most important that you protect yourself, your family and colleagues first. Listen to radio reports and follow instructions. If you are told to evacuate, follow the recommended path and don’t take shortcuts. Have a disaster safety kit, which should include a carry case for your pet and appropriate supplies (e.g. flashlight, bottled water, batteries, blanket). In you are indoors, go to your basement or storm cellar. If there is no basement, go to a closet, a bathroom or underneath a staircase for shelter. Don’t waste time trying to open windows to relieve pressure – it’s dangerous and unlikely to help.

What to do if your property has been damaged:

• If you lose power, turn off your appliances to avoid a power surge when the power is restored
• Use a flashlight, not a candle, to survey the damage
• Check for any gas leaks and turn the valves off if one is found
• Separate damaged property from undamaged property, and prepare an inventory of what has been lost or damaged and take photographs of damaged property
• Keep receipts for any clean up costs incurred

How to protect your home or business in the future:

1. Your door is more likely to withstand the severe winds a tornado brings if it has three or more hinges and a deadbolt
2. Ensure trees and bushes are trimmed, and remove any dead branches that could fall on your home
3. Ask a qualified inspector to ensure that your garage door is strong enough to withstand high winds – adding wood or metal fasteners to strengthen the door
4. Roofs are highly susceptible to fierce winds. If you are replacing your roof, ensure that the new roofing cover and sheathing will resist high winds
5. Install storm shutters or impact resistant windows
6. Put your vehicle, business equipment and other valuables in a garage or shelter if there is a tornado warning
7. Store copies of important documents, such as wills and insurance policies, offsite