How To Clear Your House Out After a Tornado

Introduction

A tornado can be a devastating experience for a family. It can come through without much notice and destroy your entire home and your belongings. The aftermath of a tornado will be something that is hard to deal with, but there are some things you can do to make the process a little easier. Here is a look at how to clear your house out after a tornado.

 

Step 1

Before you begin clearing your belongings out of your damaged house, you need to focus on your family and pets. First, make sure everyone who was at your house was able to come out of the storm without any major injuries. Make sure no one is missing or trapped under debris. If there are injuries, provide first aid and call 911 as soon as possible. If all people and animals are safe and accounted for and there is no more threat of bad weather, you can begin worrying about cleaning out your house.

 

Step 2

Once you have taken care of any people and pet needs, you need to assess the damage before cleaning out your house. Even if everyone is safe and sound, there could be some hidden dangers in your house. Make sure there are no downed power lines near your property. If you do see one, report it immediately, and stay away from it. If your house has been damaged, be careful when going in and out of it or climbing up stairs or on top of debris. Even though the tornado is long gone, roofs can still collapse and structures that appear to be safe can still fall. Also, be aware of broken glass or exposed nails.

 

 

 

Step 3

If your electricity is out, be careful when using lighting and cooking devices around your house. Candles should be used only when absolutely necessary, and they should be monitored at all times. Do not light a candle or match if you suspect a gas leak. Flashlights are much more efficient when it comes to lighting up your damaged home.

If you are able to live in part of your home or you decide to live in a camper or trailer outside of your home, do not use grills, generators or any other device that uses coal or propane in small spaces. These items emit carbon monoxide, which can make you sick or even kill you. If you do feel lightheaded or dizzy while cleaning out your house, leave the area immediately and call 911 and your gas company.

Step 4

Make sure you dress appropriately while cleaning out your house. Above everything else, you will want to wear sturdy shoes that will protect your feet. Steel-toed boots are your best bet if you own them. Avoid wearing sandals, flip-flops or shoes with heels and slick soles. You should also wear thick gloves when you handle any debris. Long sleeve and pants will protect your arms and legs from getting cut or scratched in many cases.

 

Step 5

Be aware of any hazardous materials that may have spilled in your house. This can range from medications to cleaning supplies. When left out in the open, children and animals can easily come in contact with them. Not only that, but these items can be flammable and cause more destruction to your house. Clean these items up immediately if you see that they have spilled.

Tips

A tornado can come out of nowhere and wreak havoc on your house, but following these steps and exercising these safety precautions can make clean-up a little easier for you and your family. If for some reason, you feel as if you or your house is in danger, contact the appropriate authorities immediately or call 911.

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