Tornado Survival Tips

It is generally considered common knowledge that being underground is the best bet you can make when a tornado strikes, but what happens when you don't have a tornado or cellar available, and what do you do once you're in your safe area? If you live in a tornado prone area, it is very important to know what you should do when you hear a warning siren. Read on for some simple things that you can do to make it much more likely that you will survive if a tornado strikes.
Find The Right Shelter

Have A good Weather Radio!

The best place to be during a tornado is a basement or cellar. If you don't have a basement, go to an interior room of your home like a bathroom or hallway. Stay away from any windows, and if all you have is a bathroom get in the tub. Try to stay underneath a solid structure, like a staircase or large table. If nothing like this is available, pull a mattress over your head. Falling and flying debris can be a danger during a tornado, so coverage over your head and around you is ideal. Cover yourself with heavy blankets and sleeping bags for added protection.

Never stay in a car or mobile home during a tornado. The wind will make your car a very dangerous place, and mobile homes do not offer the protection of a home with a foundation. If you are caught outdoors in a tornado and can't find anywhere safe to get inside, try laying in a ditch or other low lying patch of land. The point is getting out of the path of wind and flying debris, so get as low as possible. Cover the back of your head with your arms and keep your face pointed down. Follow any official drill procedures if you are in a public area, since the primary objective will be getting you to the safest place in the area.

What To Have

Once you have decide where the safe area of your house is located, it is important to make sure there are a few necessities available if you and your family are there when a tornado strikes. Always make sure your safe area has a first aid kit and three gallons of water per person available in case part of the area collapses and you get stuck there for awhile. A radio and a charged cell phone are good things to have, as well as a flashlight and batteries for everything that needs them.

What Not To Do

Several myths about tornado safety are wrong and may get you killed if a tornado actually strikes. Never park and hide under an overpass during a tornado. The opening can act as a wind tunnel, making it more dangerous than the surrounding land. Never light any candles in your safe area while you wait for a possible tornado. If the disaster hits your home, your gas lines may rupture and ignite the flame. Don't waste time opening windows when a tornado is approaching. A tornado will break windows when it hits, and you don't want to be standing in front of them when it happens.

Food Storage Recipe - Make Your Own Cherry Leather

Cherry Leather

 Wash and remove stems and stones from: 3 pounds (10 cups) ripe fresh cherries

 Puree the cherries in a blender or food processor, along with:

1/2 cup white corn syrup

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

 Heat the cherry puree in a medium saucepan just until boiling.

 Put wax paper onto pans that you can dehydrate this in. Grease dehydrator trays with vegetable oil.

Pour the puree onto the trays in even 8-inch-diameter circles. 

 Dehydrate in your oven at 135 degrees for 7 to 10 hours, or until firm but leathery.

 Roll up the leather while it is still warm; then cut each roll into 4 pieces. Let cool completely before storing in individual serving-sized bags. Kids love these and they are great for when you go hiking or camping. A good treat to have on hand.

The Prepper's Emergency First Aid & Survival Medicine Handbook

The Prepper's Emergency First Aid & Survival Medicine Handbook (Survival Family Basics - Preppers Survival Handbook Series) was a free kindle book at the time of this posting.


This book contains proven steps and strategies, from over 25-years of Disaster Response and Emergency Preparedness, on how to build an emergency first aid kit with traditional items and non-traditional items, identify the signs and symptoms of life threatening injuries that occur during disasters, administering emergency first aid treatment, and having knowledge of essential survival medications both pharmaceutical and homeopathic.

As the roar of the destruction begins to fade in the background will you know how to provide emergency first aid to those around you?

When the public service announcement disrupts your favorite television show, will you know what do following a chemical attack?

After completing this book, you will:
• Be able to identify which injuries are most likely to occur with a disaster and know how to administer basic first aid that may make a difference between life and death.
• Have an understanding of manmade terrorism events and resources to keep you and your family safe.
• Soon view the common household items in your home as rescue items and survival medications.
• And much more!

During a disaster, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and hospitals are rapidly overwhelmed. All too frequently community centers and school football fields becoming make shift triage centers and morgues.

The best way to ensure that you and your family makes it out of a disaster situation with a positive outcome is to plan and Prep. That’s what we’re about to do, so let’s get started!

Confessions of A Prepper- Prepper Mom: How To Plan And Protect Your Family And Friends During Any Disaster

Confessions of A Prepper- Prepper Mom: How To Plan And Protect Your Family And Friends During Any Disaster was a free kindle book when this post was written.

 Understanding how to prepare and survive a disaster scenario often times is the difference between life and death for a family. Unfortunately, many families only have one member of the family who is well versed in survival techniques--usually the male of the household. This trend can be very dangerous and can significantly decrease your odds of survival as a family. This book intends to change this trend and teach every member of your family how to prepare and survive and disaster.

Whether you believe the world is heading towards more violence or you want to prepare for natural disasters, this book is for you. We will cover basic tips and techniques you can use to prepare and survive common natural disasters. We will also cover numerous advanced techniques to help you secure your home and survive a long term disaster. Our tips and techniques can be used in numerous disaster scenarios and will increase your odds of survival as a family.

This book will cover:
Home security
Home defense
Food storage
Water storage
Sanitation
Canning and food preservation
Bug-out bags
Evacuation techniques
and much, much more!

Food Storage Recipe - Bulk Basic Biscuit Mix

Basic biscuit mix without the shortening:

This makes a nice old-fashioned “baking powder” type biscuit. It is a lot like the store-bought biscuit mix and can be used in its place in any recipe. This version has no shortening and has an indefinite shelf life.

10 cups flour

10 Tbsp. baking powder

2 tsp. salt

4 tsp. cream of tartar

 4 Tbsp. sugar

 Measure ingredients in a bowl, mix well, and store in a food safe, large canister. I also add an oxygen absorber into the container with the mix. Better safe than sorry.

To make the  biscuits, measure 2 cups of mix into a bowl. Cut in 6 tablespoons butter, margarine, or shortening until crumbly. Stir in 1 cup milk (or buttermilk for fluffier biscuits). Turn onto floured board and knead for half a minute. Do not overwork the dough. Pat into a ½-inch-thick circle and cut with biscuit cutter. Place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 450° F for 15 to 20 minutes or until puffed and golden. This makes about one dozen biscuits. Stock up on this basic biscuit mix. It will be used a lot.