Ten Tornado Safety Tips

 For the safety of yourself and your family, it’s important to have a plan in place in case a tornado strikes. Here are some simple tips to be prepared.

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1. Be aware of a tornado watch. A watch is different from a tornado warning. A tornado “watch” is issued by The Storm Prediction Center when they believe a tornado could possibly occur in your viewing area. Since conditions could produce a tornado, play it safe at start forming your tornado readiness plans at this point.
2. If a tornado watch is in effect for your area, be on the lookout for a warning. A tornado warning is where a tornado has actually been spotted in the immediate area. Many places now have warning sirens, but if you live in an area that doesn’t, you might want to invest in a weather radio.
3. Watch your local weather channel during a severe storm. Your local meteorologist will usually be able to predict what a storm is doing, and can tell you whether or not it’s growing in strength.
4. If you’re a parent, make sure your ducks are in a row. This is important. If you have young children, and you’re under a tornado watch, and a bad storm is imminent, keep your children with you. If they’re not with you, make sure they are in a safe place with responsible adults, where they can get to a storm shelter if necessary.
5. The time to act is when a tornado warning first comes into effect. If your storm shelter is in your home, go there now. If you plan on going to a shelter outside the home, such as a church basement, check your local weather broadcast to make sure you have enough time. This is important. If you are directly in the storm’s path, it can be risky leaving your home to go to another shelter if you don’t have enough time. Avoid travel during a tornado. Get to your shelter before the tornado reaches your location.
6. Keep a weather radio with you in your shelter. That way, you can receive weather updates and know when the storm has passed, so that you might leave the shelter in safety.
7. You can find shelter in your home by going down into the basement or storm cellar. If you don’t have a basement or storm cellar, other safe places could be an interior bathroom (that doesn’t have windows) or an interior hallway. The idea is to put as many walls as possible between you and the storm. Stay away from windows, doors. If you live in a mobile home, have a plan in place to find better shelter before tornadic weather occurs.
8. During a tornado, take precautions to protect your head. Cozy up with some pillows, blankets, or even helmets. It’s also a good idea to keep a flashlight handy in case the power goes out.
9. Do not assume all is safe until the National Weather Service cancels your tornado warning. And when they do, if a storm system is in your area, be prepared for subsequent warnings until the system passes.
10. Listen to the safety tips of your local weather station. They’re designed to protect you and keep you safe.

It’s important to be aware of tornadoes and how to protect yourself and your family against their effects. Always be prepared; more importantly, be alert. In the event of a tornadic weather, conditions can change in a heartbeat.