| The most important part of tornado safety in schools | | | | dangerous and should not be used as shelter areas. |
| or other largely populated buildings is to develop an | | | | These types of rooms have structural weaknesses |
| action plan with frequent drills throughout the year. It is | | | | and lack of roof support, making them prone to |
| important to remember that one size does not fit all | | | | collapsing during severe wind and weather. |
| when it comes to a tornado safety plan. Buildings | | | | Alarm System- If the schools tornado alarm system |
| should be inspected and shelter areas identified by a | | | | relies on electricity, have an alternative method to |
| registered engineer or architect. Once these shelter | | | | notify faculty and students of the warning in case of |
| areas are designated then a plan should be tailored | | | | power failure. A large bull horn or whistle can be good |
| around being able to move people to those areas | | | | alternatives. Make sure all faculty and students are |
| quickly. Basements offer the best protection but for | | | | aware of the alternative warning signals. |
| schools without basements interior rooms or hallways | | | | Make Provisions For Disabled Students- Students with |
| away from windows and glass are the next best | | | | physical disabilities can take longer to move to shelter |
| things. Flying debris is the biggest tornado hazard and | | | | areas. Moving these students when a watch is issued |
| causes the most injuries that's why it is important to | | | | will insure getting them into safety shelter areas before |
| put as many interior walls as possible between you | | | | the storm hits. |
| and the tornado. | | | | Make Sure Students Know The Protection Position- |
| Portable Classrooms- These buildings are often | | | | Crouch low on your knees, head down and cover the |
| constructed like mobile homes and can be just as | | | | back of you head and neck with your arms. Crawling |
| dangerous during severe weather. Your tornado | | | | under a desk or table in this position can offer you |
| safety plan must include getting students out of | | | | more protection as well. |
| portable classrooms quickly and into a safe area in the | | | | Keep Students Past Regular Hours- If severe weather |
| main building. If possible students should be evacuated | | | | is approaching keep students after until the severe |
| from the portables before the severe weather begins | | | | weather passes. Students are safer inside the school |
| or when a watch is issued not a warning. That is why | | | | than in a car or bus. |
| it is important for all schools to have a NOAA | | | | Having several tornado drills throughout the year will |
| Weather Radio with battery backup. Having someone | | | | insure the smoothest transfer of students to shelter |
| monitoring this radio can give you a head start if | | | | areas. Seconds count during severe weather and the |
| severe weather is approaching. Seconds count. | | | | quicker you can get them to the designated safety |
| Avoid Gyms And Auditoriums- Large open areas like | | | | areas the less chance for injuries or fatalities. |
| gymnasiums, auditoriums, and lunchrooms can be very | | | | |