If you own rental property it’s extremely important that you are prepared for the conditions of tornado season. In Oklahoma tornado season generally lasts between March and August. In areas like ours in Oklahoma and others like Kansas and Texas, tornado strikes are a fairly common occurrence. With the right tips for tornado season however you can work to protect your tenants as well is your property.
Here are some top tips for tornado season that can help to prepare you:
Keep local weather alerts
Weather information such as tornado sirens as well as local weather forecasts can give you ongoing alerts on tornadoes in the area. Checking in on your tenants if a storm is about to hit that area by phone can help to warn them in an emergency situation.
Build a plan
Building a tornado plan can help to prevent severe accidents on your property as well as ensure that your tenants have a plan to retreat from the property in the event of a tornado falling into the path of the home. Designating a room that’s available for shelter in a tornado is important. Consider checking into the most structurally sound area of your home such as a basement or cellar and include this is information for new tenants.
Understand the dangers
If you have a mobile home or a prefab structure that you are renting you may want to consider a secondary tornado plan for your tenants. Think about a ditch they could run two or a more secure home in the area.
Build a tornado kit
Including a tornado kit with a first aid kit, batteries, flashlight, radio and more can be helpful for surviving poor weather conditions. Every tenant living in an area where there is a tornado risk should have one of these kits close by.
Have a plan for after a tornado
Choose an area where people can meet up after a tornado or a designated area where you can meet with your tenants after a tornado has passed through your area. Having a good tornado plan can help to make sure that none of your tenants are injured. You also want to make sure your tenants know how to receive assistance if needed.
Keep some of these top ideas in mind for preparing your tenants with a tornado plan and for securing your rental property. For statistics on tornadoes and which state has the most tornado touchdowns, visit – www.ustornadoes.com/2016/04/06/annual-and-monthly-tornado-averages-across-the-united-states/.