May 30, 2008, Newsletter Issue #170: Warnings & what to do.

Tip of the Week

When we moved to Texas, the first thing I wanted to know was, what the warnings sounded like for a tornado.

Get to know what and how the warning system works in your area. Know the difference between a "watch" and a "warning".

Have a family tornado drill. Assign each family member a job in case of an actual tornado. (i.e., mom gets the 72-hour emergency kits, dad secures the house, brother gets the family pets, sister makes sure all are in the basement, etc.)

Make sure that you have emergency supplies accessable and in good repair. Take inventory every month and replace items that are in bad repair or have been used. Place in an easy to get at place.

Make sure that the batteries in cellphones, flashlights and radios are in working condition and have additional batteries on hand.

Have travel cages for the pets on hand and copies of necessary papers in case of evacuation. Make sure that your pets have proper ID tags with name and address of owner. It is a good idea to have an ID microchip injected into your pet for proper identification.

Make sure that the family knows who and how to contact you in case of separation or being at work or school.

Do not come out of your place of shelter until you hear the all clear signal. Many people think that because the wind dies down the tornado is over. But, this is probably the "eye" of the storm and the wind will begin again, trapping hapless people in the open.

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