Severe Weather Safety Tips

COLUMBIA,  SC  ( WOLO)– As we prepare for severe weather,  it’s important to keep safety tips in mind.

First, make sure to keep up to date with Chief Meteorologist John Farley. He’s monitoring the storm’s path. You can follow him on Twitter @FarleyWeather and stay tuned for afternoon updates on air as warranted.

The Red Cross has these tips to help prepare you for severe weather.

Households should build disaster kits with enough supplies for at least three days, including water (one gallon, per person, per day), nonperishable food, a flashlight, battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra batteries, a first aid kit, a 7-day supply of medications, a multi-purpose tool, sanitation and personal hygiene items and copies of important personal documents. They should also have an emergency plan in which each person knows how to reach other members of the household. The plan should also include an out-of-area emergency contact person, and where everyone should meet if they can’t go home.

TORNADO SAFETY People living in areas where tornadoes may occur should know their community’s warning system and listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay informed about any tornado watches and warnings issued. Other safety steps include:

BEFORE THE STORM:

• Pick a safe room – a basement, storm cellar or interior room on the lowest floor with no windows.
• Move items inside that could be picked up by the wind such as lawn furniture, trash cans and hanging plants.
• Watch for tornado danger signs such as dark, often greenish clouds, a wall cloud or cloud of debris, large hail, a roaring noise or funnel cloud.