Killer Tornadoes in Massachusetts Remind Us All To Play It Safe
As all of us in Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut sadly learned yesterday, tornadoes with deadly force can strike with little or no warning, masked by other weather phenomenon and barely evident until a funnel cloud starts to kick up dust, water and other debris. Residents and visitors in the western part of Massachusetts yesterday were out shopping, driving their cars, and otherwise enjoying what "seemed" to be a nice day and going about their business when tragedy struck. In the end, four people have been confirmed dead; property damage estimates are mounting.
If you find yourself in a situation where a tornado watch, warning, alert has been announced, or if you find yourself in a situation where the skies suddenly turn from bright sun to eerie darkness and the silence of a pending storm is emerging, safety officials recommend that people follow these basic guidelines in the event a tornado is set to strike:
• Plan in advance. Identify and make sure all family members are familiar with where to go during a tornado or other adverse weather. The basement is one of the safest places to go, but if there is no basement, a center hallway, bathroom or closet on the lowest floor is also acceptable. Find a place to hide under a heavy work table or under stairs to avoid crumbling walls, chimneys and debris. Stay away from areas on lower floors that are beneath heavy objects such as pianos, refrigerators and beds, as these can fall if winds tear up the upper level floors.
• Rule Number 1 during a storm - - Go to the safe shelter you designated (above). Do not waste precious time looking for your personal diary or photo album of your family and friends. Your safety is at risk! If you can quickly leash your dog or cat, take them with you, but don't go out in the yard looking for your pet because it probably has already found a safe place to wait out the storm.
• Stay away from glass walls and windows, in all circumstances. Cracking open a window on all sides of a home may equalize inside pressure, but by doing so also increases the risk that a window, if detached by the force of the winds, may shatter and dangerous shards of glass could go flying with serious consequences if they strike a living object.
• Get to the lowest level of your home or a public building; find an interior room or hallway away from windows, and try to put as many walls between you and the storm as possible. Flying debris is the leading cause of fatalities and injuries in a tornado.
• Crouch or lay as low as possible to the floor, facing down, and cover your head with your hands. Bathtubs and commodes are sometimes are the only things left standing after a storm. If a tub is solidly affixed to the ground, get into it with a cushion or heavy blankets over you.
• In high-rise apartment, condominium or office buildings, get to the lowest floor possible, then try to find a hallway in the center of the building. Central stairways are a good choice if they are enclosed by concrete, but never glass. Stay away from elevators which can get stuck in the event of a power failure.
• Mobile homes never safe, even if securely tied down. Residents should leave their mobile homes and mobile home parks immediately upon any warning signs of an impending storm and go to the nearest sturdy building or shelter for safety and shelter.
• If you are in your car during a storm where tornadoes are imminent, pull over and find cover outside in a ditch or low-lying area. Look up and around- if you see utility wires or trees, find someplace else to retreat. If traffic is light and you can see a storm ahead of you, you can also try to out of harm's way by driving at right angles to avoid the path of the storm. When in doubt, get out and lie low in a ditch.
• Don't take shelter under overpasses or think that your car is a safe place to stay. Deadly winds can carry your car away or damage roads with falling debris that could injure you.
• Stay away from home improvement, grocery and other stores that have a lot of products on shelves during storms. These types of stores are full of loose items that can be picked up by the force of the tornado and can become quite dangerous if you are struck and injured by an object that comes flying off of a shelf.
• In schools, shopping centers, churches and other large public buildings, avoid areas with wide, free-span roofs such as a gymnasium, an atrium or ballroom. If possible, get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck. Crouch down and cover your head. Stay away from windows and outside walls.
• In churches or theaters, get under seats or pews that are affixed to the ground. Protect your head with your arms.
• If you are outdoors, get to a sturdy building or low-lying area. Keep your head and neck covered - find a trash barrel if necessary - anything that can help to protect you.
The above tips are meant to be useful suggestions. Common sense and safety are paramount in any emergency situation. Listen to your radio or check your smart phone for weather updates. Follow the instructions of emergency personnel and be safe.
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