Many people forget comfortable bedding inside their shelter. You may be able to find suitable bedding by shopping at a few different mattress stores.
After the deadliest tornadoes seen in the United States since 2009,
sales for tornado shelters have skyrocketed. Even as recently as May 22, 2011, a single tornado made a warpath through the city of Joplin, Missouri. Claiming 118 lives and flattening much of the town, this tornado has prompted many all over the country to invest in the best-made tornado shelters on the market. Even with the prevalence of these shelters, many people neglect to consider what to keep inside, especially comfortable bedding.
When families do find themselves seeking refuge in a shelter, a soft spot to lie down offers a much-needed reprieve from the stress and anxiety of a natural disaster. Considering the shelter itself may never be necessary, splurging on one of the plush, king-sized beds sold by mattress stores sounds like a dubious investment. However, professionals should be able to come up with a sensible answer to the needs of a safe space, whether it is inflatable bedding or something else.
Now that many companies are developing these shelters and releasing them to the market, thousands of steel made, cement enhanced, underground storm shelters have been installed all over the south and southeast. By making the investment, families, businesses and an array of other organizations have secured themselves from the next major thunderstorm or deadly twister.
But what else should one keep in a secure wind-resistant shelter? There is an array of items you will need to keep in your shelter in order to survive a massive storm happening overhead. Here are just a few:
Throw in some bedding. Depending on how many people will be in the shelter, you may need one spot to sleep or many. Professionals at mattress stores will work with you to find a sensible solution for your shelter. Acquiring a good air mattress that can be blown up and fitted for your shelter will ensure you and your family members ride out the storm in comfort. Always remember food and water. Water and food are a necessity for any family during a devastating storm. Survival depends on simple, non-perishable food items and enough water.
Remember your cell phone and battery charger. Communication is essential before and after a horrific twister passes overhead. Often knocking out the power grid for some time, a battery operated charger and phone is needed to keep lines of contact open for loved ones. Heavy-duty clothes will be needed, especially if shopping at mattress stores proved either fruitless or unreasonable for the needs of a shelter. A bundle of clothes can be rested upon until the storm is over. After a storm passes, there will likely be much debris scattered around which means broken glass, limbs, and other harmful objects. Having heavy-duty boots, pants and gloves will be essential once you depart from your shelter.
Don't forget the medication. This is an obvious necessity for any needs that occur during a tornado. It is also a great idea to remember important documents in case the home is destroyed. Families can keep insurance papers, passports, IDs, medical information, bills and other important documents in a sealable, waterproof bag until the storm passes.
Install good lighting. Survivors will need battery operated lighting inside the shelter long enough to outlast a storm, whether or not the shelter is connected to main lines of electricity. These may go out or become severed during a terrible storm. Child comfort is another necessity. Anything the baby might need, including a small baseball mattress or children's entertainment to sooth the little ones during a scary storm are a good idea to keep inside your storm shelter.
