Allstate Offers Oklahoma Consumers Tips to Prepare for Tornado Season

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OKLAHOMA CITY -- While no one can predict exactly where a tornado will touch down, Allstate encourages homeowners to be prepared and protect their home and possessions in the event of a natural disaster.

As an industry leader in catastrophe response, Allstate offers the following loss prevention tips to help consumers to protect themselves, their homes and their businesses from damage:

Create an Emergency Plan

• After you have learned about the risks that may affect your community, talk to your family about those risks and the general risks of fire and severe weather. Discuss how to respond to each disaster. Get everyone involved.

• Draw a floor plan and mark two safe rooms or areas that family members can go during a tornado, such as a room with no windows or a basement. Rehearse your emergency plan twice a year.

• Remember to have only appropriately-aged family members safely shut off water, gas and electricity at the main switches.

• Post emergency telephone numbers near each phone and teach children to use them.

• Tell family members how to use the radio to listen for emergency information.

• Consider purchasing and using a NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Weather Radio in your home during the storm seasons to receive important weather warnings.

• Designate a local and out-of-town contact for your family members to call in case you're separated. Long-distance calls are sometimes easier to make during a local emergency.

• Collect all important papers and documents. This includes banking, insurance, and financial information, as well as bills and checkbook.

• If you don't have an up-to-date home inventory, walk through your home with a video or still camera. An inventory can help facilitate the claim process.

Prepare an Emergency Supply Kit

Make household members aware of where supplies are stored. Use an easy-to-carry container such as a backpack, duffel bag or covered trash container. In the kit, consider including items such as:

• A three-day supply of water, including a gallon of water per person per day.

• Nonperishable food and a manual can opener.

• A change of clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes for each family member.

• Blankets or sleeping bags, a first-aid kit with essential prescription medications.

• Battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries.

• Credit cards and cash or travelers checks.

• Place important paperwork in waterproof containers. Include financial information, important phone numbers, wills, insurance policies, immunization records, and passports.

• Baby items, extra glasses, contact lenses, extra set of car keys, etc.

Prepare Your Home

Depending on where you live, consider the following measure to prepare your home in advance for potential disasters:

• Fasten shelves securely; secure water heaters by strapping them to wall studs.

Allstate agents and The Allstate Foundation work with consumers and communities year-round to help reduce the risk posed by natural disasters and prepare to recover quickly if a disaster strikes. For additional disaster-related information, consumers can visit Allstate's catastrophe information center at Allstate.com. The site contains useful information and tips on what to do before, during, and after a catastrophe.