As a mom, it’s your job to worry — especially about the safety and well-being of your children, which includes being prepared during hurricane season. Although hurricanes are an obvious threat for residents living in and around Orlando, tornadoes are also a possibility. Peak tornado season in Orlando is March through May each year.
So how do you keep your family safe from these threats and gain some valuable peace of mind? The answer is to buy an underground storm shelter. Because you’re a mom, you might have some concerns about the safety or livability of this type of structure, so here are 5 things you don’t have to worry about in an underground storm shelter.
1. High Winds
One of the most significant dangers of a severe weather event like a hurricane or tornado is the characteristic high-speed winds. High-speed winds during a tornado can range from 65 to over 200 miles per hour. Although the structure of your home, including the integrity of your windows, might not be able to withstand the force of the winds, you don’t have to worry about your safety once you’re in the underground storm shelter. First of all, there are no windows in an underground shelter, so the threat of breaking glass is eliminated. Next, because you are underground, you don’t even have to worry about the force of high-speed winds. Winds travel along the surface of the earth — not underground, of course.
2. Flying Debris
High-speed winds don’t just pose dangers for your home. They also pick up and carry all kinds of objects, hurtling them through the air. Unfortunately, many of these everyday objects can turn into missiles that can cause damage to structures and maim or kill humans. Within the confines of your secure shelter, you don’t have to worry about being exposed to flying debris because you will be safely ensconced underground. In fact, if you opt to install an underground storm shelter as part of your home, you won’t even have to venture outside during a storm to enter it. Instead, you’ll be able to transfer to the shelter in complete safety.
3. Lack of Food and Water
In times of uncertainty, such as severe weather events, it’s difficult to know how long you might have to stay in an underground storm shelter. It could be several hours or maybe even several days, depending on the circumstances surrounding the event. Although having to be confined for undetermined amounts of time doesn’t sound anywhere near ideal, the good news is that you can prepare for your stay ahead of time. Stock your underground storm shelter with non-perishable food items and bottled water, so that everyone will be able to have their basic needs met.
4. Fresh Air
Thinking about taking your kids into an underground shelter that’s designed to keep you safe might make you think twice about air quality or if there will be enough air to sustain everyone while your family is taking refuge in the structure. After all, if the shelter is sealed and secure, how exactly will air get in? Again, this is another thing you don’t have to worry about as a protective mom. Underground storm shelters have special sheltered air vents that keep harmful debris out but allow fresh air to get in.
5. Comfort for Everyone in Your Family
Luckily, there are a variety of underground storm shelter sizes, which will accommodate up to 26 people. You can opt for a shelter as small as 6’ X 8’ or as large as 6’ X 30’, depending on your family size and budget related to the cost of an underground storm shelter. Because the shelter is secure, you can plan ahead and stock it with the items you’ll need to be comfortable, such as flashlights, folding chairs, sleeping bags, blankets and pillows. Just because you might have to spend some time in an underground shelter doesn’t mean you have to stress over being totally uncomfortable.
One of a mother’s most important jobs is making sure her children are safe and protected. When you choose an underground storm shelter installation, you’re doing your part to safeguard your family’s well-being. Even though it takes a bit of investment upfront, the peace of mind connected to having a safe and secure environment in times of uncertainty is priceless. After all, as a mom, you have plenty of other things to worry about.
I like that you talked about how there are no windows in an underground shelter, so the threat of breaking glass is eliminated. Our area is quite prone to storms, which is honestly quite dangerous. We definitely need to take some safety measures, so we should probably ask for a below ground storm shelter installation service.