Location, Location, Location...of your storm shelter

msc.fema.gov/portal/search"Where's the best place to put my above ground storm shelter?" We hear it all the time, so we thought this might be a good place to provide some general information about residential storm shelter placement.

FEMA P-320, the standards for residential storm shelter design, has some recommendations for homeowners to follow as they consider where they should place their shelter.

1. Never place a storm shelter in a flood hazard area! Tornadoes, hurricanes, and severe thunderstorms are often accompanied by heavy rains, and a shelter that's located in a flood hazard area may become unsafe to use if waters rise quickly.  TIP: Find out what flood hazard areas are on or near your property by visiting the FEMA National Flood Hazard maps and entering your address.
   
2. Storm shelters located outside the home shouldn't be more than 150 feet from an exit door. And the pathway from the house to the shelter should be kept free of major obstacles that would slow you down or trip you when you're heading to shelter in a hurry.
3. Avoid placing your storm shelter near a propane tank or gasoline tank. If large debris, like a vehicle, is thrown against the tank and causes it to start leaking, or creates a fire hazard, you don't want it right outside your family's only source of shelter.

Keep in mind that a Safe Sheds above ground storm shelter can usually be placed within 2' of your home, making it easy and quick to access when the weather gets bad. And the wide door and low threshold make it simple to enter for people with mobility challenges, as well as pets. Motion sensing LED lights that turn on when you open the door let you see the inside of your shelter without keeping a hand free to fumble for a light switch.

Your family can count on Safe Sheds when their lives depend on it!