Eddie Brissett, The Brissett Group LLC and First Place Realty Group LLC, Pena Realty Corp.Phone: (617) 816-1426
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Even small tornadoes can be dangerous. That's why it's important to have a plan for staying safe if one should appear in your area. If you're at home, there are several places you can take shelter from the strong winds and flying debris. Here are the best places at home to be during a tornado:
The safest place to be during a tornado is underground. If your home has a basement or cellar, that should be the first place you plan to go to take shelter. Make sure you have a stock of emergency supplies, blankets and other things to help you stay safe and comfortable while waiting out the storm underneath your house.
If you don't have a basement, the next best place to be in your house is an interior bathroom. A bathroom might be more cramped, but if it doesn't share any outside walls or have windows, it can be a safe alternative to going underground. The more walls you can put between you and the tornado, the better.
While sheltering in an upstairs windowless room might be tempting, you should still avoid the upper floor if your house has multiple stories. Even without windows, the upper parts of the home can sustain more damage from winds and flying debris, so you're better off downstairs in another room.
Think about what might be in the rooms directly above you. Avoid sheltering underneath heavy furnishings like pianos or wardrobes that could fall through the ceiling. You should also be aware of the furnishings in your chosen sheltering spot and remove anything hanging from the walls for safety.
When in doubt, take cover under something sturdy like a dining table or desk. Using soft layers like pillows, blankets and even mattresses can help create a buffer against debris. No matter where you take shelter in your home, staying vigilant and following your disaster plan will help you handle a tornado.
Eddie Brissett is a native of Newburyport, Massachusetts where he attended Newburyport High School. He graduated from Fitchburg State College (FSC) with both a B.S. in Business Administration and an MBA in the late 1990s. He also played basketball at FSC.
In 2004, his real estate dream began when he purchased his first property- a condo. Working primarily in financial services for nearly 15 years, he transitioned into real estate full-time in 2013. He was the Condo Board Chairman (2005-2018) of the Rich Street Condo Association. He credits his parents and mainly his mom as among the biggest influences in his life. As a licensed real estate agent in several states, he serves buyers, sellers, renters, and landlords throughout the commonwealth of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Florida.
"From an early age, I learned the value of hard work and standing by your word from my parents. These traits along with teamwork were reinforced from some tough sports coaches that I played for."
He enjoys spending his free time with family, friends, hiking, watching Boston sports teams, and is an accomplished billiards player.
