SAFETY TIPS

Plan ahead for weather emergencies. Take the time now to choose the best shelter within your home or office. Try to choose a small interior room or stairwell, ideally with walls reinforced with pipes (eg bathroom) or concrete (eg basement), on the lowest floor of the building. Make sure everyone concerned knows where to go and what precautions to take (below). Also, choose a meeting place where your family can gather after a severe storm, to ensure that you are all safe and accounted for.

Maintain an emergency pack with battery powered flashlight, radio, tools for emergency repair, food supplies, first aid, blankets and extra clothing. Keep your car gas tank full, in case gas stations close down after a storm. If a severe weather watch is issued, bring all livestock to shelter, secure or put away loose objects like lawn furniture, listen for weather updates and watch the skies.When a warning is issued keep calm, close all windows and doors, bring children indoors and go to your shelter.

WEATHER EVENT	IN BUILDING	OUTSIDE	IN VEHICLE/MOBILE HOME
FLOODING	If your house is in a low lying area be prepared to move to higher grounds during floods watches.	Seek shelter. Do not try to walk through flash floods.	Avoid driving through flooded areas. If caught there, watch for road washouts and avoid dips and underpasses.
LIGHTNING	Close windows and doors and keep away from windows, doors and fireplaces. Don't go outside unless it is absolutely necessary. Before the storm hits, unplug appliances including radio, and television and computers and do not touch electrical items or telephones during the storm. Do not take a bath (both water and metar are electrical conductors).	Get inside a vehicle or building if possible. Avoid water and objects that conduct electrivity (eg tractor, golf clubs, metal fence, bicycle). Do not stay in open spaces or under tall objects (trees, poles). If no shelter is available crouch down, feet close together with your head tucked down. If in a group, spread out, keeping people several yards apart. Remember, lightning victims can be revived with CPR even when there is not pulse.	Stay in the vehicle with windows closed. Be wary of downed power lines that may be touching your car. You are safe in the car but may receive a shock if you step outside. Avoid touching metal parts of the vehicle. Do not drive, - wait. But don't park under the trees or other tall objects that may fall over in the storm.
WIND/ TORNADO	Stay inside with the doors and windows shut. Stay away from windows, doors nad exterior walls. Go to a small, interior room or stairwell on the lowest floor of the building (bathrooms are often the best choice). If possible, crouch under heavy furniture. Protect your head with a cushion or a mattress.	Seek shelter in a building (not a car or mobile home) immediately. If no shelter is available, lie flat in a low dry spot (ravine or ditch) or under a low bridge. Keep alert for flash floods. Protect your head. As a last resort, hang on tightly to the base of a shrub or small tree.	Do not stay in a vehicle or mobile home, and do not try to outrun a tornado by driving especially in populated areas. If possible run to a nearby solid structure (shelter or building). If no solid structure is nearby lie flat in a dry ditch or ravine outside. Keep alert for flash floods. Protect your head.
HAIL	Stay away from windows and glass doors. Be alert for signs of high winds or a tornado (especially if the hail is large) and follow tornado precautions if necessary.	Seek cover, face away from wind and protect your head. Be alert for signs of high winds or a tornado (especially if the hail is large) and follow tornado precautions if necessary.	Keep head and face away from windows. Be alert for signs of high winds or a tornado (especially if the hail is large) and follow tornado precautions if necessary.