The news has been frightening lately with its constant reports about natural disasters: especially tornadoes. To be safe, it is important to be prepared, which can be done in 2 easy steps: knowing the signs and identifying a safe room.
1. Know the Signs
There are different terms a weather service may use when discussing a natural disaster. A watch means that tornado could happen, but it is not certain. Conversely, a warning means that a tornado is very likely to happen and it is best to take action ASAP.
2. Identify a Safe Room
To prepare a safe room, find the lowest space possible (like a basement or an interior room without windows) in your home. A tornado safe room should be prepared to take care of a group for at least 2 hours, but in unpleasant scenarios, it may last a bit longer. As such, even if it is minimal, set up an emergency kit. A lot of items may require a few days of planning to acquire them, but if in a rush, some of the essentials are:
- 3 gallons of water per person
- Enough food for 3 days
- First aid kit
- Face masks
- Family documents
- Charger and batteries
For more information, consider the following sources:
- A general description of tornado preparation: https://gema.georgia.gov/tornado-drill-procedures
- A checklist for tornado ready gear: https://gema.georgia.gov/ready-kit-checklist
It’s important to stay calm during natural disasters such as these, and stay safe!
