As tornados ravage the Midwest and warnings of wicked weather reach the Finger Lakes region, it is important that we are prepared to respond in the event of a tornado right in our neighborhood. The Red Cross has developed a series of safety tips to help people prepare. These tips include:* Monitor weather conditions through local news stations or NOAA weather radio.* Pick a safe room in the house to gather in the event of a storm. A safe room can be the basement, storm cellar, or an interior room on the lowest level with no windows.* Prepare for high winds by removing diseased or damaged tree limbs, removing or securing lawn furniture, trash cans, or anything that can become a projectile.* Watch for warning signs: dark, greenish clouds; a lowered wall cloud; clouds of debris; large hail; a funnel cloud; roaring noise.* Mobile homes are not safe during a tornado. If you are in a mobile home or outside, drive to the nearest shelter wearing your seatbelt.* Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines and report them to the utility company immediately.* Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines and report them to the utility company immediately.* Stay out of damaged buildings.* Use battery-powered flashlights when examining buildings—do NOT use candles.* If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and get everyone out of the building quickly and call the gas company or fire department.* Take pictures of damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance claims.* Check for injuries. If you are trained, provide first aid to persons in need until emergency responders arrive.For a complete tornado safety checklist, visit http://www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/pdf/Preparedness/checklists/Tornado.pdf. About the American Red CrossThe American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization—not a government agency—and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit rochesterredcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
Also on FingerLakes1.com
-
3 great men honored in Seneca Falls statue unveiling
A new statue created by Auburn’s Audrey Iwanicki, “Passage”,... -
Geneva woman fights for victims of domestic violence
In a word Dale Driscoll could be described as... -
Seneca Falls woman charged after narcotics investigation
On Wednesday the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit... -
Top 5 Photos of the Week in the FLX
Jessica Lahr fills you in on the top photos... -
Lyons man charged after stealing from WalMart
On Monday at approximately 1:30 pm Officers of the... -
Holiday Traditions Open House at Auburn’s Historic Sites
Holiday Traditions is an event that was created by...