Tornado Safety Tips: A Checklist for Tornado Season April 11, 2022 A tornado can strike at any time, so it’s important to prepare before one hits. As we roll into tornado season, it is always a good idea to be weather aware. In this blog, we provide a tornado safety checklist that you and your family can reference. This checklist will help you stay safe and knowledgeable during a tornado watch or warning. Do You Know the Difference? The first thing to know when preparing your family and home for the tornado season is the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning. If a tornado watch is in the area, it means a tornado is possible and to stay alert and ready to head to safety when needed. A tornado warning means one has already been spotted or is in the process of forming and getting to safety immediately is strongly recommended. Tornado Safety Checklist: There are many actions you can take to prepare for a tornado. First, take some time with your family to discuss an emergency plan and consider adding the following steps: Stay tuned in to the local news or weather radio station for tornado watches and warnings. Know the best places to take shelter during a tornado. Usually, the best place is in a basement or an interior room on the lowest level of a sturdy building away from windows. Find a local emergency shelter and make sure to know the best routes to get there safely. If you are in a mobile home or vehicle, get out immediately and find shelter in a nearby building. Do not try to outrun a tornado in a car. Cover yourself with something like a mattress or blanket to protect yourself from flying debris. If you are outside, find a ditch or low-lying area and lie down in it, covering your head with your hands. What Should You Do After a Tornado? When the tornado has passed and your family is able to safely leave shelter, ensure to follow up with local authorities on the best route to get home. There could be severe damage to surrounding areas and different roads could be blocked. Continue to tune in to local news and weather radio for further guidance. By following these tornado safety tips, you can help keep yourself and your family safe during a tornado. As the severe weather season approaches, consider getting in touch with your local OKFB Insurance agent to ensure you have the coverage you need. Don’t forget to follow us on social media! This type of information and more is just a click away. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Your protection is our top priority. Stay safe Oklahoma!
6 Best Storm Season Safety Hacks February 25, 2022 Oklahomans know that storm season is no joke. Even mild storms can often lead to long power outages and even cause damage to your home. Stocking up on batteries and snacks are must-dos, but here are some next-level storm season safety hacks that will help with maintaining some normalcy and keeping your family safe if you’re affected by Oklahoma’s notorious spring weather. Turn a can of cooking oil into a candle in an emergency. First, place a string or piece of cotton into the middle of a can of cooking oil. Then, all you have to do is light it! This trick also works with lard. (Be careful!) Keep cool without air conditioning. It can be a good idea in the summer to fill up empty two-liters with water and keep them in the freezer. If the power goes out, place one frozen two-liter in front of a battery-operated fan and sit directly in front of it for a DIY air conditioner. Dogs and thunderstorms are sometimes not a good mix, but it might not be for the reason you think! Static electricity can build up in their fur. Rub a dryer sheet over your dog’s fur to help alleviate the static and calm him or her down. Run out of AA batteries for flashlights or other electronics? There is a way to convert AAA batteries with a ball of foil. Try inserting a ball of foil between the negative end of the AAA battery and the device to generate power. In a pinch, the washer and dryer serve as good storage spaces for valuables in case of flooding. Make a milk jug lantern. First, simply remove the label from a milk jug and fill it with water. Then, strap a headlight onto the jug with the light facing inward. The jug will create a soft light that will illuminate the room. While storms can sometimes catch us off guard, it’s a good idea to plan ahead when possible. Before a storm rolls in, check out our storm prep checklist: Charge up phones and electronics. Check the sump pump, and make sure it’s working properly in case of flooding. Clear the gutters. See if there is a way to keep water from flowing down the side of your home and causing damage. Trim your trees. This could help ensure your home and vehicles will not be damaged by falling branches. Secure outdoor furniture. Oklahoma winds are strong enough to blow away or damage unsecured furniture, grills and playground equipment. Fill up the gas tank. This way you and your loved ones can move to a safer location if needed. Check the emergency kit. Then, replenish any missing supplies and important medications. Purchase a hand crank emergency radio. This could come in handy and keep you informed if the power goes out. In addition to these storm season hacks, don’t forget to read up on a few storm season safety tips and additional ways to prepare for a tornado. Along with staying safe, remember to contact your local OKFB agent to talk through your coverage in the case of a tornado or severe weather. We have agents in all 77 counties and ready to help whenever, wherever. See how one of our agents, Billy Gibson, took care of Carl Holmes and his other policyholders when a tornado went through this town three years ago. Stay safe, Oklahoma!
3 Ways to Show You Care January 31, 2022 Valentine’s Day is the perfect holiday to show your loved ones how much you care. This year, don’t just get flowers and chocolates. One gift that can truly last is insurance. It may not be as romantic as a dozen roses, but it can provide protection for life. Protect Your Valuables Home is where you usually feel safest and where you keep your most prized possessions. Whether you’re a homeowner or a renter, both insurance lines offer personal property coverage. Personal property coverage covers personal belongings inside a home in the event of damages or theft that may not be covered under a general Homeowners or Renters Insurance line. Personal property coverage can provide a sense of security and help in recuperating valuables. Reach out to your local OKFB Agent and see if the jewelry you have or are planning to give for Valentine’s Day is covered. Travel With Confidence Planning a weekend getaway for the weekend of love? Whether you’re fishing at the lake, racing ATVs or cruising Route 66 in an RV, one way to protect your loved ones from the unexpected is with Recreational Insurance. We offer a wide range of coverage options that could help you when making new memories wherever your travels take you. Support Your Employees The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that small businesses have to expect the unexpected and adapt quickly. Many Oklahoma businesses have suffered from lost revenue, staffing shortages or have had to close their doors completely. One way to show you care for your employees is to give the gift of insurance. Our fully-customizable Business Owners Insurance includes Loss of Income coverage that could help cover a loss of net income due to suspension of operations and help pay for continuing payroll expenses. BONUS – How We Care: Drive with Peace of Mind One auto-related gift to offer a loved one, and no, we’re not talking about buying a car, is Roadside Rescue. As an OKFB member or policyholder, we give you the gift of Roadside Rescue. This is a free service that provides 24/7 assistance wherever you or your loved one is nationwide. Enjoy the gift of traveling with confidence and peace of mind wherever and whenever this Valentine’s Day. Insurance coverage is a great way to show you care and to provide loved ones with protection and safety. Reach out to your local OKFB Insurance agent if you have questions about your existing plan or purchasing a new one. We’re here to help!
How to Prepare for a Tornado July 1, 2021 With Oklahoma falling right in tornado alley, it’s critical to know how to prepare for a tornado. Tornadoes can occur suddenly and they can be destructive, so knowing how to prepare and what to do can help you and your loved ones stay safe. As tornado season begins, consider these ways to prepare for a tornado. Set and Inform Your Plan To ensure you and your family are safe, you can create a “what to do if a tornado hits” plan. This plan could include where to take shelter, who is responsible for gathering food and supplies, where to locate the radio and batteries and more. If you’re unsure about the security of your home, you may consider adding a storm shelter. Having your household on the same page can help ensure you react in a timely manner. Create a Checklist and Store Necessities Creating a checklist and storing some basic items can help you stay on track and not forget any critical items. Be sure to include: Batteries Weather radio Cell phone charger Flashlight Food A fun game or coloring pages to keep the little ones or even yourself entertained Know the Warning Signs Luckily, we have the technology and the National Weather Service to warn us if a tornado is coming or developing. However, it is always good to know the warning signs if there is a chance of a tornado. Hail or heavy rain followed by fast and intense winds or followed by eerie quiet and calm Loud rumbling that could sound like thunder, but is continuous. Some describe it as sounding like a freight train If the sky begins to look dark and green A cloud of debris, even if it doesn’t resemble a funnel A funnel-shaped cloud “I stepped outside before the tornado actually got there, and I could hear it coming but couldn’t tell how far away it was. Well, of course it went right through, real fast. After it settled down, I peeped outside the window and walked outside, and saw the cars were crushed,” said Billy Gibson, one of our policyholders. Watch how OKFB helped Billy after a tornado hit his home. Learn the Weather Terms Two notable terms to know are tornado watch and tornado warning. A tornado watch signifies that the current weather is capable of producing a tornado. While a tornado warning signifies that one has been sighted or seen on a radar. When a tornado warning is issued you are highly advised to seek shelter. Understanding this difference can help you know what to do. As you create plans and checklists, remember to check-in with your OKFB agent to ensure your home and vehicles are protected under your Home Insurance and Auto Insurance policies. You focus on staying safe and prepared, and we’ll worry about protecting your assets.
