Tips to keep pets safe during, after a tornado

Preparing for severe weather with your pet in mind can help ensure their safety when storms hit. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)

DETROIT – A tornado touched down Thursday in Michigan. Being prepared for natural disasters is one of the best ways to ensure your pet’s safety when bad weather strikes. 

WATCH: Tornado touches down, leaves massive trail of damage in Tuscola County

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Before a tornado, be sure to have a designated area in your home where your family and pets can go. This is usually a basement or the most interior room of the ground floor.

According to American Humane, it’s important to remove items that could be dangerous to pets, such as tools and toxic products, from the area. Also, have emergency kits near the area that include supplies for both humans and pets.

All pets should have a crate, as well. If possible, crates and carriers should be put under sturdy furniture, American Humane said.

Be sure to know where your pet hides and make sure you can easily remove them in case they need to be quickly moved during a storm.

After a tornado, don’t let your pet outside until you have made sure it’s safe to allow them out. Downed power lines and debris could be possible hazards.

Keep dogs on a leash and cats in a carrier when bringing them out.

According to American Humane, smells or places familiar to your pet could have been changed by the storm and the animal may become confused or lost if left alone outside. 

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