Taking Cover: Top Five Tips for Staying Safe in Storms

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It was 1974 in Guin, Alabama.

An F5 tornado roared over my parents’ house, destroying most of it as they huddled in the hallway, my father lying on top of my mother and brother. Their town was leveled, and they were grateful to be alive.

It was 2011 in Fort Worth.

My husband and I watched, devastated, as we learned that a multiple vortex tornado had ripped through our beloved home state, flattening places we’d frequented at the University of Alabama and tearing through my aunt’s home in Phil Campbell. Once again, we were grateful to learn, one by one, that our loved ones were alive, and we grieved for those who were hurting.

In my family, we take tornadoes and severe weather seriously.

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I’m not an expert, but, over the years, there are several tips we’ve put in place to be safer during storms.

Have a plan and a place.

When severe weather hits, you shouldn’t have to stop and think about where to go and what to do. Know where your safe place is–a basement, closet, bathtub. You’re looking for an area that’s away from windows, doors, or outside walls and is at the lowest level or most central location of your building.

When it’s time to go there, don’t think–just act.

Similarly, know when it’s time to go. While a tornado watch means tornadoes are possible, a tornado warning means rotation is confirmed, and you should go to your safe place.

Stock up.

In that safe place, keep a few things stocked. Most should be obvious like flashlights, a first aid kit, and a weather radio. But be sure you also have a pair of shoes (tip from my mom), your phone, and a few activities for your kids to keep them quietly interested.

Keep your kids close.

When my girls were babies, I always took them in our Ergo carrier with us into the closet during storms. If anything happened, I wanted them fastened to me. These days, they are testing their independence, and storms are no time for a fight with a toddler. During our last tornado warning, I grabbed a box of Oreos, and they (and the dog) followed me into the closet without a word.

Watch the weather in multiple ways.

Watch your local TV stations (many of which also offer emergency weather text alerts), follow along on social media, and keep your ears out for the tornado siren. You’ll find some methods are faster in your area than others, so having multiple sources of information can ensure that you’re updated more quickly.

Be on the safe side.

What’s the worst that can happen if you’re overly cautious? A few exciting minutes hunkered down in your safe place, reading or playing games with a flashlight and a chance to talk with your kids about the importance of storm safety (and, if you’re like us, snack on a few Oreos).

Need more information? Check out these three resources for facts, tips, and info just for kids.

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