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When a tornado is coming, you have little time to make life-or-death
decisions. Advance planning and quick response are the keys to survival.
The tornadoes that struck New York State found many residents
unprepared for such a disaster and left them wondering what to do if a
tornado were to strike again.
Be prepared for possible tornadoes:
- Conduct tornado drills every year. Designate an area in your home
as a shelter, and practice having everyone go there in response to a
tornado threat.
- Discuss with family members the difference between a tornado watch
and a tornado warning. A tornado watch is issued by the National Weather
Service when tornadoes are possible in your area. Remain alert for approaching
storms. This is the time to remind your family where the safest places
in your home are located, and listen to the radio or television for
further developments. A tornado warning is issued when a tornado has
been sighted or indicated by weather radar.
If you are at home when a tornado hits:
- Go at once to the basement, storm cellar or the lowest level of the
building. If there is no basement, go to an inner hallway or a small
inner room without windows, such as a bathroom or closet.
- Get away from windows.
- Go to the center of the room. Stay away from corners because they
tend to attract debris.
- Get under a sturdy piece of furniture such as a workbench or heavy
table or desk and hold onto it.
- Use your arms to protect your head and neck.
If you are in a mobile home:
- Get out and find shelter elsewhere. If shelter is not available, lie
in a ditch or a low-lying area a safe distance away from the unit.
Always have the following disaster supplies on hand:
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Portable, battery operated radio with extra batteries
- Emergency food and water
- First Aid Kit
Develop an emergency communication plan:
- In case family members are separated from one another during a tornado
(a real possibility during the day when children are at school and adults
are at work), have a plan for getting back together.
- Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family
contact." After a disaster , it’s often easier to call long
distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address,
and phone number of the contact person.
Summer storms often bring dangerous lightning and heavy winds.
Keep an eye on the sky:
- Look for darkening skies, listen for thunder, look for flashes of
light or increasing wind.
- If you hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.
When the storm approaches:
- Avoid using the telephone, taking a bath or shower. Remember, telephone
lines and metal pipes conduct electricity. Fences can carry a deadly
charge for miles!
- Draw shades and blinds. If the storm tosses an object against a window,
blinds can prevent glass from shattering into your home.
If caught outside:
- Find shelter in a building. If a building is not nearby, a hardtop
car is fine.
- Keep car windows closed.
- If you are boating or swimming, get to land and find shelter immediately.
- If possible, go to a low lying open place away from trees, poles or
metal objects.
- Do not go to a place that could fill with flood waters.
- If you are stuck in the woods, take shelter under the shorter trees.
- Get as low to the ground as possible.
If someone is struck by lightning:
People struck by lightning carry no electrical charge and can be handled
safely. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency medical services. If the victim's
breathing has stopped, begin rescue breathing. If the heart has stopped
beating, a trained person should begin CPR.
Keep your house safe and warm with a few quick checks this fall.
- Keep your family safe by installing fire detectors on every floor
of your home. Test the detector for proper operation and change the
battery twice a year when you change the clocks in the spring and fall.
- If you burn wood make sure your chimney is clean and free of residue.
Dirty chimneys can be a major cause of home fires. You may want to hire
a professional to inspect your chimney.
- Get in the habit of changing your furnace filters before winter usage.
Have your system serviced by a qualified professional. A clean, efficiently
functioning heating system can save you money on your energy bills.
- Clean and vacuum vents and baseboard heaters. This will reduce the
number of airborne allergens in your home.
- Clean gutters of leaves and twigs. Clean gutters will keep water from
backing up and damaging your roof.
- Inspect windows and doors and replace caulk and weather stripping
if worn. This will help reduce heat loss and result in lower energy
bills.
Prepare for upcoming winter weather:
Fall is the perfect time to protect your home against problems that can
be caused by winter weather. The biggest threats are ice dams and bursting
pipes, but melting snow can also lead to water damage.
The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) says taking these steps
now can help you avoid costlier problems down the road.
- Keep gutters clear of leaves and debris to help keep ice dams from
forming.
- Ensure that drains in outdoor basement stairwells and window wells
are working.
- Consider removing outdoor window flower boxes and other
non-essential exterior fixtures (unless permanently built to the house
with proper flashing) on which snow may accumulate and melt against the
walls.
- Ensure that skylights and other roof openings have proper weather
stripping or gaskets around the edges to prevent snowmelt from seeping
through.
- Have a licensed plumber install an emergency pressure release valve
in your plumbing system to protect against the increased pressures
caused by freezing pipes. (If you can't take this step, remember to let
faucets drip slowly during cold snaps.)
- Make sure your attic floor is well insulated to minimize the amount
of heat rising from the house into the attic, but keep combustible
insulation (e.g. insulation other than fiberglass) at least 3" from any
recessed lighting fixtures, fan motors, or other heat-producing devices.
- Make sure attic vents are unobstructed.
- Fit exposed pipes with insulation sleeves or wrapping to slow heat
transfer.
- Seal cracks and holes in outside walls and foundations near water
pipes with caulking.
Prepare for a winter storm before it happens:
Be sure to have properly operating smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
Have extra blankets on hand. Be sure that each member of your household
has a warm coat, gloves, hat and water-resistant boots.
Assemble a disaster supplies kit containing:
- First aid kit
- Bottled water
- Flashlight
- Battery powered radio with extra batteries
- Canned food and non-electric can opener
If a STORM WATCH is issued, continue listening to your local TV/radio
station. Avoid unnecessary travel.
If a STORM WARNING is issued, stay indoors. If you must go outside, remember,
several layers of lightweight clothing will keep you warmer than a single
heavy coat. Avoid unnecessary travel.
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