5 Spring Safety Tips Brought to You By Adorable Animals

Spring is in the air, and that means warmer weather, blooming flowers…and the potential for extreme weather conditions! Some of our favorite animals remind us of what steps we can take to keep ourselves safe if bad weather strikes.

Don’t let floods, thunderstorms, or tornadoes take you by surprise this season. Keep these 5 weather safety tips in mind:

1. Stay informed – get a weather radio.

The National Weather Service continuously broadcasts warnings and forecasts that can be received by NOAA weather radios.

Know what to Listen For!

• Tornado Watch: Tornadoes are possible in your area. Remain alert for approaching storms.
• Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Tells you when and where severe thunderstorms are likely to occur. Watch the sky and stay tuned to know when warnings are issued.
• Tornado Warning: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar.
• Severe Thunderstorm Warning:  Issued when severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar.

2. When thunder roars, go indoors.

Take thunderstorms seriously. Lightning strikes may be rare, but they still happen and the risk of serious injury or death is severe.

• If there are storms in your area, find a safe, enclosed shelter.
• The main lightning safety guide is the 30-30 rule. After you see lightning, start counting to 30. If you hear thunder before you reach 30, go indoors. Suspend activities for at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder.
• If no shelter is available, crouch low, with as little of your body touching the ground as possible. Lightning causes electric currents along the top of the ground that can be deadly over 100 feet away.

3. Turn around, don’t drown®.

Don’t underestimate the power and force of water. Remember, it’s never safe to drive or walk into any kind of flood waters.

• Just six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off your feet. If flowing water is above your ankles, stop, turn around, and go another way.
• If you’re caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.
• Danger can lurk in the water: downed power lines or other debris may not be easily visible. If you see a downed power line, move at least ten feet away from it – or anything touching it. If you’re driving and your car comes in contact with a downed power line, stay in your car.

4. Beware of flying objects.

Falling and flying debris causes most deaths and injuries during a tornado.

• Go to the basement or an inside room without windows on the lowest floor (bathroom, closet, center hallway).
• Avoid windows.
• For added protection get under something sturdy (a heavy table or workbench). Cover your body with a blanket, sleeping bag or mattress. Protect your head with anything available.

5. Prepare for everywhere.

Make a kit for home, and one for the road.

• For home, keep a three day supply of food and water:
  • One gallon of water per person per day (a family of four should keep 12 gallons of water).
  • Foods that are easy to make and won’t spoil, like canned soup, dry pasta, and powdered milk.
  • Don’t forget a manual can opener and basic utensils to prepare and serve meals!
• For your car:
  • Personal items like medications and emergency phone numbers.
  • Check the kit regularly. Make sure the flashlight batteries work.
  • Check expiration dates and replace any used or out-of-date items.