The guide provides recommendations of The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Tornado
Swirling at speeds reaching 318 mph, nearly 1,200 tornadoes hit the United States every year. It's therefore of vital importance to be prepared for the deadly weather event:
- Identify a tornado safe location in your home. The best option is a windowless basement. If you live in a trailer, the safest thing for you to do is to hide in a storm shelter.
- Assemble a survival kit that would include a flashlight with extra batteries, a first aid kit, an NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert, a whistle, and dust masks. Keep it in your safe location.
- Identify places you go every day - think in advance where you can hide from a tornado there.
- Discuss a communication plan with your family members.
- When a tornado is over, be sure to stay away from downed power lines, broken gas lines, and sharp debris - try not to go to damaged areas; always follow instructions from rescuers.
- If you are a pet owner make sure to have a leash for a dog and a carrier for a cat. Take your pet to your tornado safe location. Assemble a pet emergency kit and build an emergency pet food supply.
Lightning
Avoid being outdoors during a thunderstorm as it's totally unsafe! Lightning safety tips include:
- If outdoors, stay away from tall isolated trees, water, and open spaces.
- If indoors, don't stand near windows, porches or doors; avoid touching electrical equipment.
- If inside a car, park your car by the roadside, raise the windows, and turn your hazard lights on. Don't touch metal objects.
Flooding
If a state of emergency is declared due to potential flooding in your area, you should obey the rule of three 'Nevers':
- Never refuse to obey evacuation orders.
- Never seek shelter low to the ground - go to the upper floors during flooding.
- Never walk into floodwaters as the underwater current can be fast enough to knock a person of his/her feet or to carry a person away; besides, floodwaters always teem with pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms, chemicals, litter, and wastes that can cause a disease outbreak.
Tsunami
There several natural tsunami warnings that precede a tsunami:
- Earthquakes,
- Sea level rise/fall,
- Incredible noise.
If you observe one of the processes listed above, you should immediately get to higher ground!
Beach Safety
To stay safe at the beach, follow the recommendations listed below:
- Make sure the beach is staffed with lifeguards
- Don't swim out too far if you are not a confident swimmer
- If you are caught in rip currents, you should swim out rather than against the current
- Be sure to drink lots of water to avoid heatstroke
- Use sunscreens and/or sunblocks to protect your skin.