How to Make a Tornado Emergency Kit

Buy a large plastic tub with a tight-fitting lid. Put everything listed in this article into the tub and then place the closed tub in the lowest and most secure part of the basement. Make sure everyone in the household knows where the tornado emergency kit is--and make sure that no one "raids" the kit between tornadoes. If possible your tornado kit should contain enough food and water to keep you and your family comfortable for a minimum of 7 days. Set up more than one kit for large families.Your tornado emergency kit should be restocked with fresh supplies just before the beginning of each tornado season.

Things You'll Need

• Large plastic container with locking lid
• Battery-powered radio
• NOAA Weather Radio
• Extra batteries for both radios
• Manual can opener
• Candles
• Matches (waterproof)
• Several bags of hard candies
• Canned fruit
• Canned tuna
• Bags of granola and/or trail mix
• Meal pouches (made for campers & backpackers)
• Small propane stove
• Extra bottles of propane fuel
• Bottles of water [1 gallon per person per day for drinking, plus enough water for meal preparation]
• (restock water every 6 to 8 weeks)
• 2 Flashlights
• Electric lantern
• Extra batteries for flashlights and lantern
• Blankets (space-aged thermal blankets are a good idea)

Instructions

How to Make a Tornado Emergency Kit

1. Choose a spot that is in the lowest part of your basement, flanked by sturdy interior walls, and away from any window. This will be the spot where you keep your emergency tornado kit. Also make a point of storing sleeping bags and blankets in the same area.

2. Buy one or more large plastic tubs with locking lids. These can be purchased at department stores and at many large stationery stores.

3. Fill each plastic tub with the following (enough of each item to last 1 week per person):CandlesWaterproof matchesSmall propane camp stove with extra propane bottles1 pot for boiling waterSeveral bags of hard candiesBoil-in the pouch meals designed for campers and backpackersGranola and/or trail mixCanned fruitCanned tunaWater (1 gallon per person per day for drinking, plus enough for meal preparation--i.e. boiling meal pouches)A.M. /F.M. battery-powered radioExtra batteries for radios, flashlights and lanterns2 Flashlights1 Electric lantern (obtainable through camping supplies)Blankets. The light-weight space-aged thermal blankets take up the least space and provide the most warmth.

4. Buy a dedicated NOAA Weather Radio and keep it in the kitchen or another room of the house where it is easily accessible by all members of the family. At the first sign of potential tornado trouble turn the radio on and follow all directions. Take the radio with you to the basement if directed.

5. Stay calm. Have an emergency plan in place ahead of time so all members of the family know what to do and where to go in case of a tornado.

Tips & Warnings

• Restock fresh water every 6 to 8 weeks.

• Make sure all members of the family, including children who may be at school, have a plan to follow in case of a tornado.

• Choose a friend or relative well outside of the tornado area whom family members know to call in case of an emergency. This contact person can keep everyone apprised of the whereabouts of all family members.

• Keep away from windows during tornadoes.

• Take refuge in the lowest part of the basement as close to the center of the house as possible. Close all doors leading into your area of refuge.

• If the house begins to move, lie flat on your stomach and cover yourself with blankets, sleeping bags or whatever else you have. Cover the back of your head and neck with your arms.