This time of year, our attention turns to severe storms and storm safety. Here in the Chicago area it’s easy to get complacent about severe weather and tornadoes because we don’t see a lot of big ones. In fact, we’re a bit overdue and that concerns me. It’s a problem because people forget about the power of severe storms and tornadoes. They don’t take watches and warnings seriously. Since our deadly Plainfield tornado of 1990, the suburban area has exploded in population density. I’m going to try and make it a personal mission to continue to educate about storm safety, tornado preparedness, lightning safety, rip current awareness and safety, as well as extreme heat and flash flooding. When it comes to tornado safety, have you ever considered a shelter? You can find great info here about whether or not you might want one in your area. Here’s a look at one ready-to-go design you can sink into your backyard in just a few hours, for under $6,000. For more information on tornado safety, wherever you may be when a storm strikes, take a quick look at this document from NOAA. Just because you haven’t had a close encounter in your lifetime, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared. Be the safety expert in the crowd, and make the smart decision to keep everyone well!