If you live in a place where tornados hit, you need to make sure that you know how to stay safe when the alarm sounds. This article suggests ways that you can be prepared and stay safe, so that your life does not have to be devastated by these terrible natural disasters.

1. Remaining Safe When a Tornado Hits
Brief Description: If you live in a place where
tornados hit, you need to make sure that you know
how to stay safe when the alarm sounds. This
article suggests ways that you can be prepared and
stay safe, so that your life does not have to be
devastated by these terrible natural disasters.
Tornados can be very frightening, destructive things,
and they can destroy homes and lives in a matter of
minutes, or even seconds. If you are not prepared,
the situation can be extremely frightening and
dangerous—however, if you are prepared and you
know what to do, you can protect yourself and your
family until the danger passes.
Tornado damage occurs very quickly, and
sometimes warning signs cannot be sounded or broadcasted in time. While emergency alert systems
work well at times, other times your safety will have to be up to you, and you alone.
Point of Evacuation
Knowing when to evacuate and when to find safe cover is very important. Always listen to the radio
during times of extreme weather, so that you can hear when an alarm sounds, and when they tell you to
evacuate.
If an alert has been sounded and you have some time to prepare, you need to make sure that you move
your cars inside your garage, and keep the keys inside your home. Try to move all your lawn furniture
inside, so that it does not end up blowing into windows.
Make sure that you know where all the members of your family are, and that you are all safe and calm
together. If you have emergency kits, make sure that they are with you at all times.
Keep your radio on, as previously mentioned, so that you know what is going on for as long as possible.
A tornado warning means that a tornado has actually been sighted.
Tornadoes can be deadly and devastating storms, with winds up to two hundred and sixty miles per
hour. This means that you need to seek safety as quickly as possible.
In Preparation
Know where all of your flashlights and emergency supplies are in advance, so that you do not have to
run around searching for them when you have limited time. Learn the warning signals used in your
community.

2. Put together an emergency storm kit
including a transistor radio, flashlight,
batteries and simple first-aid items in a
waterproof container. You may want to
have a food storage handy, and water
bottles as well.
If you have small children, you may want to
conduct drills with your family in the
home, so that everyone knows what to do
in an emergency. Make sure each member
knows the correct procedures if they are at
work or school when a tornado hits.
The safest place to be during a tornado is underground, preferably under something sturdy like a work
bench. If there is no basement or cellar in your home, a small room in the middle of house is going to be
the safest.
Keep as many walls between you and the outdoors as possible. If you live in a mobile home, you should
seek safe shelter elsewhere at the first sign of severe weather.
Go to a prearranged shelter or talk to a friend or relative ahead of time to see if you can go to their
house when the weather turns bad. Do not try to stay in your home—it could cost you your life.
Caught Up in a Storm
If you have absolutely nowhere you can go, go outside and lay flat on the ground with your hands over
your head and neck. Be alert for flash floods that often accompany such storms.
If you are in your car when one of these disasters hit, know that it is not possible for you to outrun the
disaster. It will pick up your car and throw it somewhere else as it if were a feather.
If you see a funnel cloud or hear a tornado warning issued on the radio or by siren, get out of your
vehicle and seek a safe structure. The last thing you want to do is stay in your car.
If you are at work or school, make sure that you learn emergency shelter plans for wherever you are. If a
specific shelter area does not exist, move into interior hallways or small rooms on the building's lowest
level.
Stay away from windows and glass at all times. Large, open rooms should be avoided as well.
If you follow these safety tips, you and your family will remain as safe as possible during a tornado.
Always try to stay calm, and think rationally when you hear that alarm sound.
Photo Credit: ViaMoi, Emarquetti