How to Stay Safe During a Tornado

Whether the threat of tornadoes is new to you, or you grew up doing tornado drills in school, the following steps can be helpful to you in learning, or simply reviewing, how to stay safe during a tornado both indoors and out.

Instructions

Indoors

• 1

  Designate a place in your house where your family will gather in the event of a tornado. Underground is best, in a basement or cellar. Otherwise, consider an interior hallway with no windows. Wherever your gathering place, just be sure to keep it uncluttered to minimize the danger of flying debris.

• 2

  Put together an emergency preparedness kit complete with a portable battery-operated radio, flashlights, extra batteries, and enough food and water to last a few days.

• 3

  Stay tuned to the news for tornado "watches" and "warnings." If and when a warning goes out, that means a tornado has been sighted or detected on radar. Immediately move to your designated room.

• 4

  Crawl under a sturdy piece of furniture, like a desk or dresser. Tables work too, just as long as they don't have glass tops. Hold on to the table with one hand and protect your neck and head with the other. Be sure to keep a sturdy piece like this in your gathering place, along with your emergency preparedness kit.

• 5

  Avoid using gas and electricity until you know it's safe to do so. If you suspect a problem, shut them off until a professional can assess the situation.

• 6

  Look for hazardous situations after the tornado, like loose plaster, drywall and ceilings that could collapse.

Outdoors

• 7

  Take cover in a sturdy building nearby. When inside, get as far away from the windows as possible, crawl under a sturdy piece of furniture, cover your neck and head and hold on.

• 8

  Stop your car if you're driving. Get out and follow Step 1.

• 9

  Lie down in a ditch or ravine if there is no building around for you to take cover in. If there are no ditches or ravines, lie flat in the lowest spot you can find, and cover your neck and head. Avoid lying close to structures, poles and trees.

• 10

  Stay away from fallen power lines and broken gas lines.