Health & Safety Concerns of Tornadoes

One of the most famous movie scenes featuring a tornado was the one in which Dorothy received a head injury in the classic book and movie "The Wizard of Oz." Hollywood did not exaggerate the danger of tornadoes in this film. A serious head injury, incurred by flying objects, could cause delusions similar to Dorothy's. Shielding oneself from the strength of any large-scale disaster is difficult, but arming yourself with knowledge can decrease risk of death, injury and sickness during a tornado.

Understand a Tornado's Capabilities

• It's not a good idea to stop and take a photo when a tornado is approaching you.

  Tornadoes can sustain winds up to 300 mph. Winds this strong are capable of hurling massive objects several yards, or smaller objects for miles. They can also rip a home to pieces. Be aware of the destruction a tornado can cause and plan a safe place to hide. In the event of a tornado, stay away from any objects than could be thrown at you. Do not take refuge in a vehicle under any circumstances.

Safe Locations During a Tornado

• Underground shelters and basements will protect you from a tornado's flying debris.

  The safest location to hide from a tornado is in an underground shelter or basement where the wind and flying objects cannot reach you. If you are in a building without a basement, the safest option is to move away from any large objects that could fall and hide under a table or bed. If you are outside, move away from buildings, trees and vehicles, lay down on the ground and cover your head.

Natural Dangers that Accompany Tornadoes

• Lightning kills approximately the same number of people as tornadoes every year.

  Tornadoes are rarely limited to a single column of heavy wind and flying debris. Thunder and lightning storms, rain, hail and flash floods often accompany a tornado. The combination of these dangers increases the risk of injury during and after a tornado. Hail that is flung at the speed of more than 100 mph will cause serious injuries, and a flash flood can cause people to drown.

Dangers of the Tornado's Aftermath

• When a tornado's power dissipates, it drops all debris.

  Many people can sustain injuries after a tornado has passed, from unstable and damaged buildings, broken glass and mold or mildew. Always use extreme caution when entering any damaged building, and check for gas leaks or exposed live electrical wiring. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing boots, covering all limbs and wearing protection masks for mold and mildew. Mold, the longest lasting after-effect of a tornado, causes respiratory diseases.