Eye of the storm : How to protect your property during a tornado

Many call Oklahoma the heart of "Tornado Alley," and Tulsa county sees an average of over 50 tornadoes a year, more than almost anywhere else in the country. Property owners and property managers in Tulsa, OK can't avoid the threat of tornadoes, but they can take some simple precautions to help reduce the likelihood that their buildings or houses for rent in Tulsa, OK will be severely damaged by a twister.

Property management agencies with houses for rent in Tulsa, OK already know that here, tornadoes are a fact of life. Most residents are familiar with how to protect themselves during a tornado, but what about the property itself? While property managers in Tulsa, OK can't prevent tornadoes, they can take the following steps:

• Make sure nearby trees and shrubs are kept trimmed, and not too large. Most damage during a tornado is caused by flying debris. Urban property managers in Tulsa OK can lobby neighborhood associations or city parks to focus on keeping trees on the small side, while rural or suburban property managers, like property managers in Turley, might be able to exercise more control over nearby plant life.
  
  
• Likewise, tenants should be encouraged to keep yards clear and free from debris like machinery, bicycles, children's toys, or excess vehicles. The strong winds from a tornado can turn seemingly harmless items into deadly missiles. Lease agreements for house rentals Tulsa, OK should always include a clause about the tenant's obligation to keep the yard free from unnecessary items.
  
  
• Keep garage doors in good condition. Garage doors can be weak spots in a home, and once a garage door is lifted, the whole garage (or the entire home, for that matter) can be lifted off the ground. Scrupulously maintaining this area of the house can be a cheap insurance policy for houses for rent in Tulsa, OK.
  
  
• Storm covers for windows can prevent blow-outs, a situation that can arise when the pressure inside the house differs too greatly from the pressure outside, or breakage from flying debris. Property managers in Tulsa, OK or property managers in Turley should consider installing these to avoid having to replace windows after a storm.