Tornado Safety

Here are some tips from the American Red Cross:

1. Together your family should pick a safe place in your home where your family members could gather during a tornado.

• The safest place would be in a basement or a tornado shelter (underground).  If you do not have   a basement or shelter, you should consider an interior hallway or a room on the ground floor.  Pick a room in the middle of the house that has the least amount of windows and doors.

• If in an apartment building you may not have enough time to get to the lowest floor, go to the     center hallway and take cover.

• If in a mobile home, you should choose a safe place in a nearby sturdy building.

2. Tornadoes can move quickly, so it is best to take cover immediately, take cover away from all windows and tall furniture that could tip over on you.

3. Talk to your children about where they are to go while at school.

4. Discuss and learn the difference between a tornado "watch" and tornado "warning".

• Watch - The National Weather Service issues a watch when tornadoes are possible in your area.  It means you need to remain alert for approaching storms.  This is a good time to remind family members where the safe place in your home is, and stay tuned to the radio or television.

• Warning - A tornado warning is issued when a tornado has been sighted by weather radar.

5. Learn about your community's warning system.  Most communities have sirens for outdoor warning purposes.  Ask your community officials what this sounds like for your community. 

 6. Practice your family tornado drill several times throughout the year.

7. Have a disaster supply box ready in case you ever have to use it.

8. If you are in a car, get out, and get inside a building.  If there is not a building around, find the lowest lying place, usually a ditch, and lie flat on your stomach and cover your head with your arms.  If you see water or signs of flooding be careful and move out of the way.