Tornado safety key during upcoming season

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Brandi Baker
  • 509th Civil Engineer Squadron
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo., --  While thoughts have been on snow and ice lately, Missouri is nearing the time for tornado season. It is important that Team Whiteman members and their families are prepared in the event that a tornado does occur.

The following safety tips can increase the chances of surviving a tornado:

Prevention/Practice
Have a family plan in place, and practice it at least once a year. Create an emergency supply kit which should include but is not limited to: water (one gallon of water per person per day-plan for at least three days), food (non-perishable, at least three-day supply), battery-powered or crank radio (consider NOAA radio with tone alert) and batteries, flashlight with batteries, first aid kit, whistle or air horn to signal for help, dust mask, plastic sheeting with duct tape for sheltering-in-place, moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties, wrench and or pliers to turn off utilities, can opener for food, and local maps.

Flying debris is the greatest danger so store protective coverings (e.g. mattress, sleeping bags, thick blankets, etc) in or next to the protective shelter.

Situational Awareness
Turn on local TV (to include commander's access if available), radio or NOAA weather radio and stay alert for warnings in or around the area. Listen to the radio, watch television, or monitor the internet for further instructions until told it is safe or to evacuate the area.

If a person frequents certain stores, they are encouraged to learn where the bathrooms, storage rooms or other interior shelter areas are located (preferably without windows).
All schools, shopping centers, nursing homes, hospitals, sport arenas, stadiums, mobile home communities, and offices should have a tornado safety plan already in place. Their shelters will have easy to read signs posted to direct individuals to a safe, close by shelter area.

When the time comes that a warning is issued authorities will direct whether they should immediately go to their shelter or whether "sheltering-in-place" is advised.

Use common sense and available information to determine if there is immediate danger. If specifically told to evacuate a certain area- do so immediately, do not wait. If directions are provided by authorities to shelter-in-place take these steps immediately- do not try to drive or walk outdoors. Unless there is an imminent threat people should call their emergency contacts to let them know where they are and that they are safe.

Immediate Action
When a tornado watch is issued people should think about their drill and check to ensure their safety supplies are readily available.

Quickly lock exterior doors and close windows, air vents, and fireplace dampers. If familiar with mechanical systems, turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems, and clothes dryers. Some systems provide for exchange of inside air with outside air. These systems in particular need to be turned off, sealed, or disabled.

Select an interior room with the fewest windows and vents; the room should have adequate space for everyone to be able to sit. Take emergency supplies and go into the room designated (may want to consider pre-positioning supplies). Seal all windows, doors, and vents with plastic sheeting and duct tape (if possible pre-cut) or whatever supplies the person has on hand. Each piece should be several inches larger than the space they want to cover so that it lies flat upon the wall or surface. If pre-cutting, label each piece of plastic to shorten placement time when the need arises.

All-Clear Announced
After the tornado has passed keep people should keep their family together and wait for emergency personnel to arrive.

Carefully render aid to those who are injured (ensure all are wearing protective footwear).

Stay away from power lines and puddles with wires in them; they may still have an electrical charge.

Avoid any broken glass, nails, and other sharp objects/debris. Stay out of any heavily damaged houses or buildings; they may collapse or have broken gas/power lines.
Do not use matches or lighters in case of leaking gas pipes or fuel tanks. Remain calm and alert, and listen for further information/instructions.

Red Cross recommended first aid kit items for a family of four:

2 absorbent compress bandages (5 x 9in)
25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1in)
5 antibiotic ointment packages
5 antiseptic wipe packages
2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
1 blanket
1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
1 instant cold compress
2 pair non-latex gloves
2 hydrocortisone ointment packages
Scissors
1 roller bandage (3 in)
1 roller bandage (4in)
5 sterile gauze pads (3 x 3in)
5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4in)
Oral thermometer
2 triangular bandages
Tweezers
First aid instruction booklet