Allstate offers important tornado safety tips to help minimize damage

NORTHBROOK, Ill., April 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- This year's tornado season may have started out slowly, but the storms that tore through the central and southern parts of the country over the weekend are proof families should be prepared. The National Weather Service predicts more than 100 tornadoes are expected to hit nearly half of the country in the coming weeks.

No one can predict exactly when and where a tornado will touch down. Allstate encourages residents to follow a few simple tornado safety tips to prepare their families and protect their homes and possessions just in case there's another round of severe weather.

• Identify two safe rooms or areas where family members can go during a tornado, such as a room with no windows or a basement. Rehearse your emergency plan twice a year.
• Sign up for a free weather alerts system like Allstate Alerts to receive notifications about bad weather in your area.
• Consider purchasing and using a NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Weather Radio in your home during the storm season to receive important weather warnings.
• Collect all important papers and documents. This includes bank, insurance and financial information, as well as bills and your checkbook.
• If you don't have an up-to-date home inventory, walk through your home with a video or still camera to take lots of photos and/or videos. You can also use an application like Digital Locker that helps you create an inventory of your items which can be stored right in your pocket.
• Remember to have only appropriately-aged family members safely shut off water, gas and electricity at the main switches.

Regarding damage from the recent tornadoes that impacted states throughout the central and southern part of the U.S., Allstate policyholders who suspect their home might have sustained damage during the recent storms can contact Allstate by dialing 1-800-54-STORM (1-800-547-8676) or visiting Allstate.com.

As residents return home, they should begin inspecting for tornado damage only if it is safe to do so. For additional tornado safety tips and other disaster-related information, contact a local Allstate agent or visit Allstate's Be Aware & Prepare catastrophe information site.

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer, serving approximately 16 million households through its Allstate, Encompass, Esurance and Answer Financial brand names and Allstate Financial business segment. Allstate branded insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services are offered through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives, as well as via www.allstate.com, www.allstate.com/financial and 1-800 Allstate^®, and are widely known through the slogan "You're In Good Hands With Allstate^®." In 2013, $29 million was given by The Allstate Foundation, Allstate, its employees and agency owners to support local communities. Allstate employees and agency owners donated 200,000 hours of service across the country.

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SOURCE The Allstate Corporation