in which I actually teach you something important

Tornado Safety and How It Applies to You

Okay, so I know I rarely touch on anything important, but I became aware today that some people truly do not know what to do in case of a tornado. While growing up in Texas, preparing for tornadoes was something I would subconsciously do every time a storm rolled in, so I thought everyone did that too; I was wrong. So I'm going to take it upon myself to teach you what to do in case of a tornado. 

1. Pick a safe place to hide. A bathroom or a closet is preferable, some place where you are surrounded by four walls, no windows (as far away from windows in other rooms as possible), with supports going on behind the walls. By supports, I mean things like having a laundry room on one side and a bathroom on your other side. Someplace sturdy. OR you could have a basement or a tornado shelter or cellar to hide in. Go there. Best option.

2. Choose a place to go in case of being separated from your family or friends post-storm. This might sound silly thinking you'd all be hiding in the same place, so how would you lose each other? People, you can get carried away by a tornado. My great-grandmother was, and miraculously lived to tell the story. In the event of that, or your house collapsing on you, pick a place to go. (NOTE: This is different than your place to hide)

3. What you need to bring into your safe place with you (things that can be put in a bag are indicated by being put in purple:

-pets and their food (obviously)

-important documents (birth certificates, driver's licenses, passports, social security cards, bank information etc.)

-your wallet

-blankets and pillows (you don't know how long you'll be in there)

-a good supply of water

-a good amount of food

-a can opener in case you bring in cans

-your purse

-any laptops you have and their chargers

-a portable radio if you have one

-your cell phone and its charger

-any other electronics you have and their chargers

-a flashlight and candles and matches

-objects of great personal value

that seems like a lot but it's mostly very small things that can be put in a bag, as indicated above. 

4. Keep on top  of the weather, have the news on or a radio on, and if the sirens start, book it to your safe room.

5. Better safe than sorry. Even if you feel like it's silly to go hide in a closet because the tornado is across town, hide in the closet. Storms move very quickly and tornadoes are often unpredictable, and most of the time are not officially confirmed until after they're gone. Better safe than sorry. 

love,

Alice