| It is generally considered common knowledge that | | | | flying debris, so get as low as possible. Cover the |
| being underground is the best bet you can make | | | | back of your head with your arms and keep your |
| when a tornado strikes, but what happens when you | | | | face pointed down. Follow any official drill procedures |
| don't have a tornado or cellar available, and what do | | | | if you are in a public area, since the primary objective |
| you do once you're in your safe area? If you live in a | | | | will be getting you to the safest place in the area. |
| tornado prone area, it is very important to know | | | | What To Have |
| what you should do when you hear a warning siren. | | | | Once you have decide where the safe area of your |
| Read on for some simple things that you can do to | | | | house is located, it is important to make sure there |
| make it much more likely that you will survive if a | | | | are a few necessities available if you and your family |
| tornado strikes. | | | | are there when a tornado strikes. Always make sure |
| Find The Right Shelter | | | | your safe area has a first aid kit and three gallons of |
| The best place to be during a tornado is a basement | | | | water per person available in case part of the area |
| or cellar. If you don't have a basement, go to an | | | | collapses and you get stuck there for awhile. A radio |
| interior room of your home like a bathroom or | | | | and a charged cell phone are good things to have, as |
| hallway. Stay away from any windows, and if all you | | | | well as a flashlight and batteries for everything that |
| have is a bathroom get in the tub. Try to stay | | | | needs them. |
| underneath a solid structure, like a staircase or large | | | | What Not To Do |
| table. If nothing like this is available, pull a mattress | | | | Several myths about tornado safety are wrong and |
| over your head. Falling and flying debris can be a | | | | may get you killed if a tornado actually strikes. Never |
| danger during a tornado, so coverage over your | | | | park and hide under an overpass during a tornado. |
| head and around you is ideal. Cover yourself with | | | | The opening can act as a wind tunnel, making it more |
| heavy blankets and sleeping bags for added | | | | dangerous than the surrounding land. Never light any |
| protection. | | | | candles in your safe area while you wait for a |
| Never stay in a car or mobile home during a tornado. | | | | possible tornado. If the disaster hits your home, your |
| The wind will make your car a very dangerous place, | | | | gas lines may rupture and ignite the flame. Don't |
| and mobile homes do not offer the protection of a | | | | waste time opening windows when a tornado is |
| home with a foundation. If you are caught outdoors | | | | approaching. A tornado will break windows when it |
| in a tornado and can't find anywhere safe to get | | | | hits, and you don't want to be standing in front of |
| inside, try laying in a ditch or other low lying patch of | | | | them when it happens. |
| land. The point is getting out of the path of wind and | | | | |