‘Tis the Season for Severe Weather – 10 Ways to Stay Safe

The warmer weather brings with it the threat of severe thunderstorms and even some tornadoes.

The American Red Cross urges people to follow these safety steps if their area is affected by any severe weather.

THUNDERSTORMS If thunder roars, go indoors.

• If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning. Go to safe shelter immediately.
• As the storm approaches, take shelter in a building.
• If you are driving, pull off the roadway and park. Stay in the car with the windows closed and turn on the emergency flashers. Avoid touching metal or other surfaces that conduct electricity in and outside of the vehicle.
• If you are inside, unplug appliances and avoid using the telephone or any electrical appliances. Avoid taking a bath or shower or running water for any other purpose.
• If you are caught outside and cannot reach a safe building, avoid high ground, water, tall, isolated trees and metal objects such as fences or bleachers. Picnic shelters, dugouts and sheds are not safe.

TORNADOES Tornadoes can strike without warning and destroy a community in seconds. Before a tornado warning is issued for your area, here are some things you should do:

• Know your community’s warning system.
• Pick a place where family members can gather if a tornado is headed your way. It could be your basement or, if there is no basement, a center hallway, bathroom, or closet on the lowest floor. Keep this place uncluttered.
• If you are in a high-rise building and don’t have enough time to go to the lowest floor, pick a place in a hallway in the center of the building.
• Remove diseased and damaged limbs from trees.
• Move or secure lawn furniture, trash cans, hanging plants or anything else that can be picked up by the wind and become a projectile. 

DOWNLOAD EMERGENCY APP People should download the free Red Cross Emergency App to receive emergency alerts and information about what to do in case of tornadoes, flooding and other disasters, as well as locations of shelters. The App also includes emergency first aid information and a Family Safe feature which allows people to instantly see if loved ones are okay. The free Emergency App is available in app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.