Underground storm shelters will keep you safe during a vicious tornado outbreak. They are typically made of cement and reinforced steel and are located underground on either public or private property. They are usually placed a little bit away from buildings on the property so that storm shelter inhabitants aren’t trapped in the event of their collapse.

Despite the ubiquity of storm shelters on the market, not everyone in tornado vulnerable areas has a storm shelter. Indeed, many people live in apartments or don’t have the money to afford one. However, even if you don’t have a storm shelter, you cans still take action to remain safe in the event that a tornado comes crashing through your area. Let’s take a look at some of the tornado safety steps that you can make a part of your emergency plan of action, regardless of whether you have an underground storm shelter or not.

• Develop a plan of action for the following tornado scenarios: outside, driving, in the house/apartment, at a local school. If you are driving, plan to go to a ditch and get as low to the ground as possible. If you are at home, get to your underground storm shelter as quickly as possible. If you don’t have your own underground storm shelter, then go to the basement of your home or apartment.
• Practice makes perfect. Practice going to your emergency safe spots once in awhile in order to avoid panic and confusion in the event of a real tornado. It may seem silly, but the stress of a real natural disaster can cause stress and panic, so the more your practice, the more you will make your safety precautions a habit.
• Have a survival kit with first aid, basic food provisions, water, blankets, flashlights, batteries, and even a radio. Survival kits should be in your underground storm shelter or somewhere else accessible in your home, car, or vehicle in case of an emergency.
• Invest in a NOAA Weather Radio that will provide you with severe weather alerts ad warning tones and is battery backed-up in case the power goes out but you still need weather information.

If you live in a tornado infested area the steps listed above are just a few of the precautions you and your family can take to attenuate the hazards of a tornado attack, and you do not need to have an underground storm shelter to take these steps towards tornado safety. Any level of safety awareness will protect you, so while it should be a long-term goal to invest in an underground storm shelter in the future, developing a severe weather emergency plan now will help you to avoid the devastation of the funnel cloud.