You’ve seen the way blockbustermovies present a windstorm (whether straight-line winds, tornado, orhurricane). The lesson from Hollywood?If you don’t own an underground storage cellar, you’re going to end up flyingthrough the air and swallowed up by a big, dark cloud. But forget the silverscreen – Paul Davis of Western Michigan hasseen the aftermath of real storms, right in our area. We’ve experienced thetrue-life heartbreaking stories…and have proudly helped families restore theirproperty after they’ve thought there was no way to repair the damage. In theprocess of helping property owners recover after a windstorm, we’ve also learnedabout some other surprising lifesavers that can protect Michiganders  and your property from a windstorm. Here are 8tips we hope can help you.

1. Your Door

Wind pressure can rip your homeopen at its weakest points. You may think the most likely points of damage arethe windows, but doors are also vulnerable. Doors manufactured before 1994aren’t usually rated for pressure. Considerreplacing your exterior doors with newer models that are code approved forboth wind pressure and debris impact. Havethem installed to open outward rather than inward.

2. Wooden Furniture

A sturdy, solid piece of woodenfurniture can be your best friend during a tornado or hurricane. As part of your emergency preparednessplan, think about which table, desk, or workbench you can easily move to thesafest part of your house such as the bathroom or closet (make sure thefurniture fits through the door). When you hide under this piece of furniture,you will have an extra shield against falling debris – including heavy pieceslike roofing materials or tree branches.

3. Mulch

Gravel and rock are lovelychoices for landscaping. But they can easily become deadly projectiles in highwinds. They can break your windows and cause shrapnel-like damage to the humanbody. If you live in an area that is prone to windstorms, use materials like wood mulch instead of gravel in your flowerbeds. Chooseto pave your driveway with concrete instead of pebbles. And remember, any playor lawn care equipment not secured in your yard (swing set, trampoline,lawnmower, etc.) can turn into a large, heavy missile during high winds. Ifthere’s a storm warning in the Michiganarea, move whatever you can from your yard safely into the garage.

4. Trimmed Hedges

Speaking of power lines, you candecrease your risk of electric shock by making sure the city is doing its job. Anytime you see vegetation and treesgrowing into the utility lines near your home, give the city a call toreport this unsafe condition. When they cut back vegetation, this reduces therisk that you will step outside after a windstorm and find that downed powerlines are energizing the puddles of rainwater and sleet around your home.

5. Duct Tape (Duck Tape)

Don’t laugh! This adhesive reallyis very useful during and after a windstorm. Securing windows with duct tapedoes little to improve protection from broken glass (boarding up your windowsis ideal). But it can be helpful for other last minute safety adjustments sincethis tape is strong and waterproof. You could use it to help keep smaller itemsin place should the roof blow off during a hurricane or tornado. For example, you might tape extra emergency-preparednesssupplies and tools to the underside of heavy pieces of furniture. Duct tapecan also help prevent water leaks around windows and doors from wind drivenrain. You can use tape to secureblankets around windows and doors to help stay warm when the power goes outwhen a windstorm is accompanied by a blizzard.

6. A Whistle

If you get trapped under debriswhen structures collapse in a tornado or hurricane, blowing a whistle may saveyour life. The sound will travel farther than your voice with far less effort.A loud whistle can sometimes be heard through solid structures. A safety whistle will get the attention ofrescuers faster and save you from losing your voice from shouting.

7. Waterproof Heavy Duty Flashlight

You can use a bright flashlightto signal rescuers in low light situations during pounding, wind-driven rain.Sound does not carry very well during extreme windy events, especially upwindin a rainstorm. If you sustain injuries that prevent you from speaking, flashing a light can draw attention to youwhen you need help most. Take amoment to learn SOS in Morse code ifyou don’t know it already (· · ·— — — · · ·). Power may be out immediately after a windstorm. Areliable emergency light source will help you get around in the dark withoutinjury. Keep in mind that a flashlight may require backup batteries to ensurelonger life.

8. Air Purifier

An air purifier that removes both particulates and chemicals may helpkeep your family comfortable indoors during a severe-weather event (assumingthe power stays on). As staying inside is your safest option in anywindstorm, you might as well still have access to fresh air!