Preparing for severe weather requires creating a family emergency plan. Knowing where your family members will meet during an evacuation can reduce anxiety and keep everyone safe.
Store outdoor patio furniture, toys and grills that could become projectiles during a storm.
Plan Ahead
Prepare yourself and your family for severe weather with a plan in case it arrives. Plan where they will go if evacuated, how they’ll get there, and keep sandbags and water readily available in a flood-prone area if applicable. Also practice evacuation drills together so everyone knows exactly what needs to happen and where.
In addition, look for upgrades that can improve the safety of your home. Specially designed Florida hurricane windows, for example, can withstand high winds. Taking the time to have these installed can save you money in the long run.
Make a list of essential phone numbers and store it in an easily accessible place. If your area is frequently affected by power outages or severe storms, investing in a satellite phone may provide greater safety during an emergency situation – and planning ahead makes this much simpler! Taking time now will allow you to stay safe when bad weather strikes!
Have a Plan in Place
Planned preparation can ease the anxiety of severe weather. It’s crucial to develop a family emergency plan, secure important documents like passports, financial data and insurance policies in waterproof containers and identify an out-of-town contact who can act as their central point of communication – this strategy may even come in handy for businesses wanting to establish inclement weather procedures for employees.
Building an emergency kit for both your home and vehicle is another essential step towards safety. These kits may contain items such as water, flashlights, first aid supplies and battery-powered radios – vital if power goes out or you’re evacuated during severe weather events.
Once again, it’s essential that you plan where your family will meet in case of an evacuation. Designating an established meeting point can reduce stress for younger children who may feel lost during stormy conditions.
Severe weather can be unpredictable, making preparation an essential step. By reviewing your plan, creating an action plan for work and setting aside an area safe spot for family, you will feel more prepared when severe weather strikes. In addition, you can check https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/trafficinfo/ for up-to-the-minute road updates. This can help you find exit routes when necessary.
When preparing for inclement weather, it helps to be prepared. Check out online guides for more information on preparation. Also, mass notification systems provide businesses with an ideal communications platform to easily distribute alerts across various channels ensuring team members remain up-to-date and stay safe during inclement weather events. Plan ahead in order to ensure these systems are in place when needed.
Take Shelter
As severe weather hits, it’s vitally important to find shelter. This includes both your home and workplace/school. When at work or school, locate safe spaces without windows or interior stairwells where you can huddle under desks, chairs, or other sturdy pieces of furniture for protection; avoid large open areas such as cafeterias or auditoriums where large span roofs may not provide adequate provide cover.
Once inside a tornado shelter, take precautionary steps. Crawl as low as possible while protecting yourself with hands covering your head in order to reduce debris impacting you and stay there until the National Weather Service cancels or expires the tornado warning for your area.
While in shelter, you can keep up-to-date on storm information through local news stations and radio. Many people also appreciate having whistles or horns at hand in case help is needed, while blankets or sleeping bags provide warmth and comfort to family members while waiting out a storm.
After the storm has subsided, it’s wise to inspect your property for damage. This includes checking for leaks, downed power lines and structural issues as well as replenishing supplies like non-perishable food, water, first aid kits and flashlights. Avoid any contact with downed power lines, as these can be extremely dangerous. Also consider creating and practicing your family plan during regular occasions so all members understand their role during stormy conditions.
Drive Safely
Bad weather can create dangerous road conditions that increase the risk of an accident, so drivers owe it to fellow drivers to be cognizant of these dangers and take necessary precautions in order to limit danger. Furthermore, drivers should also be cognizant of factors that contribute to serious collisions like wet roadways, icy surfaces and unexpected gusts of wind as these could all increase risks significantly.
When driving in adverse conditions, it is wise to plan ahead by checking the weather forecast prior to setting out and leaving enough time for reaching your destination.
Take an alternate route that won’t put you under storm conditions; familiarize yourself with your car’s controls and blind spots; bring along a map should you get lost; also know alternate routes if your original one becomes impassible.
Be mindful that even though you are an excellent driver, not everyone on the road will be. Some motorists may disregard weather warnings and drive recklessly in order to reach their destinations, which could endanger others’ lives. Be wary of reckless drivers and leave plenty of distance between your car and those ahead in order to react in case one loses control.
Be wary when approaching curves on wet or snowy roads, taking special care to slow down before the curve, coast through it, then accelerate as soon as you come out of it – this will give you more control of your car and avoid it skidding or sliding on its wet surface.
The key to surviving in an emergency situation is through careful planning and preparation. Be sure to create a plan and share it with your family. Practice what you will do in a series of drills. This will help to ensure that everyone stays calm and gets to where they need to be if and when a storm strikes.
