The warming weather signals the start of tornado season. Tornadoes most often form from April through June and can cause massive damage. Apart from damaging homes, buildings, and other infrastructure, they can also uproot trees and destroy crops. According to records, ten people lost their lives due to tornadoes that struck the United States in 2018. The number has already more than doubled in 2019 with 29 deaths.

With these grisly numbers, preparation should start far before a tornado strikes. Here are some tornado essentials that you should keep in your tornado emergency survival kit:

Water
According to studies, a person can go for three weeks without food. However, it’s a different story when it comes with water. With 60% of the adult body made up of water, a human will only last for three to four days without water. Thus, this is one of the essential items that you should pack in your survival kit.

Make sure that you have enough water for every member of the family. It’s advised that you should keep a supply of at least three gallons of water per person per day for three days. Since it is possible for water to get contaminated, it’s also advisable to keep Aquatabs for water purification.

Food
Apart from water, you should also pack non-perishable and easy to prepare food for you and your family. Choose foods that your family will eat and be sure to consider any food restrictions that anyone may have.

Consider packing ready-to-eat and easy-to-prepare food such as canned meats, fruits, and vegetables. You can also store dry cereals, granola bars, and protein bars that can be consumed quickly. If you have infants or elderly in your home with special dietary needs, be sure to pack them as well. Have companion animals with you? Keep dog/cat food and treats for your pets.

Supermarkets are likely to be closed after a tornado. Having your provisions not only enables you to be self-sufficient; it also allows comfort and assurance that you and your family can survive without worry.

Flashlight and Whistle
Power supply will likely be off after a tornado, so it’s best that you have your lighting source. Having a flashlight for such emergencies will be helpful. It will be better to have solar and battery-operated lamps that you can use during the night. Although convenient, avoid lighting candles during or after a tornado. When left unattended, they can cause fires that can endanger your family’s life as well as your home.

Give each member of the family a whistle that they can use to call attention and send a signal in case of an emergency. Have an emergency plan laid out and discussed with everyone in the family.

First Aid Kit
Having a first aid kit at the ready is essential. Have an ample supply of prescription medication and other personal medical supplies tucked inside a water-resistant first aid kit.

Clothing
Have a set of clothes ready for you and your family. Include protective clothing, hats, gloves, and sturdy shoes that can help protect you from debris. Also, pack some blankets and comfortable clothing for the entire family.

Sanitation and Hygiene Supplies
Keep a supply of hand sanitizers, cleansing wipes, and other hygiene products ready in case of a water shortage or, in some instances, outage.

Phone Charger and Radio
To ensure that you have constant phone access, keep phone chargers that can be operated via battery, car, or solar energy. It will allow you to use your phone without electricity. Also, have a battery-powered radio with you that can serve as your source of information and emergency announcements.

For other tornado preparation tips, check out our blog post on how to prepare for a tornado by clicking here.