Tips for Owning and Using a Storm Shelter

Items to keep in a safe room:

• Flashlights:  Severe weather can knock out electricity to the house, or intruders may intentionally cut the power

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• Blankets:  Occupants might be there for a while, so they might as well be comfortable

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• First Aid Kit:  Even if occupants make it to the safe room, they may have been injured by the storm or intruder en route. It is unlikely that the storm or intruder will allow the occupants to re-enter the safe room after they leave it to look for band-aids

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• Bottled water and non-perishable foods:  There should be a small provision of bottled water and non-perishable foods (such as dried trail mix)

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• Communication devices:  Ideally, all three of the following devices should be stored or brought into a safe room

  • Cell phone and charger, which are convenient, but they may not operate through thick safe room walls. The charger will not work if no electrical receptacles are installed, so those are required, too

  • a land-line phone:  Since cell phones may not work in a safe room, or because they may lose power, a land-line phone is recommended. It should, however, be on a separate line from the rest of the house so that intruders are less likely to disable it

  • a two-way radio

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• Prescription Medication:  Small quantities of necessary medications should be stored in the safe room, or else occupants may be forced to surrender their position during a medical emergency. Having a hundred cans of tuna and a flat-screen TV does little good if your only asthma inhaler is left on the kitchen table

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• Sanitation Supplies:  Safe rooms built on a budget often don't have a toilet. A bucket can be used as a low-cost alternative;