Storm safety 

Severe storms, one common thread -- safety preparedness 

A large, gray cloud darkens the sky and moves in quickly. High winds suddenly gust; torrential rains pour. The storm alarm sounds, alerting you and your neighbors to take cover. What do you do?

In 2007, more than 23,100 severe storms-tornados, hail storms and wind storms-occurred throughout the United States, according to the 2007 Annual Severe Weather Report Summary from the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center. According to the study, of the 1,305 tornadoes tracked that year, 26 tornados killed 81 people.

The year 2008 is on its way to holding a record for the most number of storms. According to National Weather Service preliminary data tracked through mid-May, a total of 97 tornados have killed 88 people.

Unfortunately, consumers often don't have time to find shelter or gather emergency items when storms hit, so being prepared becomes the key to survival.

"It's important to keep safety in mind when any storm hits," said John Drengenberg, Director of Consumer Affairs for UL, a global safety organization. "Whether it's a hurricane, blizzard, thunderstorm or ice storm, consumers can't control when a storm will hit or its severity. The best thing families can do is prepare."

Before the storm

A recent poll by The National Hurricane Survival Initiative found that more than half of Americans living in hurricane-prone areas had no family disaster plan in place and 88 percent said they had not taken any steps to make their homes stronger for the 2007 hurricane season.

"After vowing to prepare for the next big storm, people often forget about storm preparation because they're focused on repairing buildings and clearing branches," Drengenberg said. "The challenge is finding time to make preparations before the storm so you aren't struggling in the aftermath for days or even months after the storm subsides."

Drengenberg recommends families plan ahead for the worst case scenarios to increase their likelihood of surviving a major storm. As a first step, he reminds consumers to pay close attention to severe weather warnings. With today's weather-forecasting technology, meteorologists can provide consumers with advanced warning that a storm is approaching.

Another way to prepare for the worst storms is to develop-and practice-a family storm drill.

"Storm drills aren't just for school-age children," says Drengenberg. "Families should practice these drills at home to ensure every member of the family knows exactly what to do and where to go when a violent storm hits."

Ready for anything

In the United States, the types of storms vary by region and time of year.

"The United States has more severe weather than any other part of the world," said Tim Schott, meteorologist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Weather Service. "Whether it's a hurricane, blizzard or tornado each weather phenomenon has potential to be deadly."

NOAA recommends every household have a first-aid kit, flashlights and battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio (NWR), which broadcasts official National Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Schott reminds consumers to also take different safety measures depending on the type of storm.

Specifically:

• For hurricanes, tornadoes and tropical storms
  • Avoid windows. Large wind gusts can force open or shatter glass windows. It's best to seek shelter in an interior room in the lowest level of the home - unless you are in a flood-prone area.
  • Prepare a storm emergency kit with items such as flashlights, batteries, a battery powered-radio and games for children, as well as non-perishable foods and water. Store it in the designated storm evacuation location. Click here to view a list of additional items to include in a storm emergency kit.
  • Create a family phone tree to keep track of relatives and neighbors who may have been affected by the storm.
  • If driving and you see a tornado, hear tornado sirens, or hear of a Tornado Warning, immediately pull off the road, abandon your vehicle, and seek shelter in the lowest possible area, such as a culvert.
• For thunderstorms*
  • Seek shelter indoors as soon as you hear thunder.
  • Unplug electrical appliances in advance to help prevent power surges.
  • Use a mobile phone if you need to make a call. Never use a corded telephone, as lightning can travel through the cord.
  • Remove metallic objects from your body, such as belt buckles, earrings and rings. These can be used as conductors if a lightning bolt strikes.
  • Quickly find safe shelter in the lowest level of your home away from windows.
• For blizzards and ice storms
  • Keep candles and matches handy. Electricity can sometimes be the first utility to interrupt during these storms.
  • Store extra warm clothes and blankets in your car in case you get stranded outdoors.
  • Cover windows and spaces around doors with sheets or plastic tarps to keep heat inside your home if the heating system goes down.
  • Prepare a storm emergency kit with items such as flashlights, batteries, a battery powered-radio and games for children, as well as non-perishable foods and water. Store it in the designated storm evacuation location. Click here to view a list of additional items to include in a storm emergency kit.
• For sandstorms*
  • Pay attention to forecast warnings.
  • Shut all windows and doors.
  • Cover your body as much as possible with clothing, a pair of goggles and a face mask to help prevent injuries from flying debris.
  • If you are driving and see dense dust blowing across or approaching a roadway, pull your car as far away from the pavement as possible and turn off your lights. If your lights are on and you pull over and suddenly stop, an approaching driver may hit you by accident.
  • If you are unable to immediately pull off the road, drive at a speed suitable for visibility, turn on your headlights and sound the horn occasionally. Use the painted lines on the center of the road as a guide and continue to look for a safe place to pull over.

After the storm

"Danger is always lurking, especially in the aftermath of a storm," said Drengenberg. "Although the winds have calmed and skies have cleared, it's no time for consumers to let down their guard when it comes to keeping their families safe."

According to the American Red Cross, consumers should:

• Remain inside until the storm has completely passed.
• Check the home for damage.
• Leave the building and call the fire department immediately if you smell natural gas.
• Stay clear of downed wires and power lines.
• Drink plenty of clean water and avoid overexerting yourself during cleanup.
• Check on neighbors who might need assistance.

Consumers also should take precaution when driving after a storm. Post-storm roads need to drain of floodwater or be cleared of wind-strewn debris or snowdrifts. The Red Cross advises consumers not to drive if winds are 40 mph or more.

Floodwater is frequently contaminated with septic waste, oil and/or construction debris. It's best to follow instructions from local officials before drinking or using water in storm aftermath.

Another potential post-storm danger is carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, especially when using generators as an alternative source of electricity. When generators are used improperly, the carbon monoxide produced by burning fuel can overtake one's home and cause occupants to suffer from CO poisoning.

To prevent this from happening, Drengenberg reminds consumers that generators should never be placed in the home or garage, or near doorways or ventilation systems.

Each year, more than 500 people die from accidental CO poisoning, most of them (64 percent) inside homes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The "silent killer" is an odorless, colorless gas produced by incomplete burning of fuel, such as propane, kerosene, gasoline, oil, natural gas, wood and charcoal. Sources of CO in homes can include malfunctioning gas-fired appliances, space heaters and chimney flues.

In an effort to help prevent accidental CO poisonings, UL and the Consumer Products Safety Commission developed warning labels that appear on all portable generators sold after April 2006. UL incorporated these warning labels into a new set of stringent safety requirements for all portable generators tested by the organization.

For more information on the affects of CO, please visit our Carbon Monoxide package.

For up-to-the minute local and national weather information, please visit http://www.weather.gov/.

For more details on NOAA Weather Radio, including information on how consumers can receive broadcast weather watches and warnings specific to their county, please visit http://www.weather.gov/nwr/.

Related materials

• Audio (mp3): Storm preparedness
• Audio (mp3): Storm tips
• Audio (mp3): Gas-powered generators
• Audio (mp3): After the storm
• Graph: Altantic hurricane outlook
• Graph: Total number of tornadoes
• Graph: Weather fatalities
• Graph: Satellite view of a sandstorm
• Graph: Winter storm hazards in the U.S.A.
• Graphic: Severe storm home hot spots (pdf)