American Safety Zone - Weather Safety

Keep The Following Weather Safety Advice In Mind

Depending on where you live and how long you've lived there, you probably know what kind of weather to expect at certain times of the year, so you already have a weather safety plan in place. But what if you move, or you're vacationing in an area that experiences some weather you aren't accustomed to?

Weather Safety for Different Situations

Different geographic regions experience different types of weather, and knowing the rules of weather safety for your region can ensure the safety of your family as well as home safety. On this page, we'll explore extremes.

If you live in Colorado, Alaska or any other region that's prone to heavy snow, you probably know what to expect in the event of a blizzard. Here are some weather safety tips for blizzards:

If you must go outside, make sure you wear mittens instead of gloves (if that's feasible for the activity) wear a hat, a heavy coat and several layers of clothing.
Make sure your car is adequately prepared by keeping your gas tank at least half full, make sure your tires are properly inflated and have good traction, make sure your windshield wipers are in good working order, make sure your heater and defrosters are working, make sure your battery isn't low, make sure you have plenty of antifreeze, and make sure your car has a shovel, a flashlight, a blanket, foods that can be kept at room temperature like protein bars, candy bars, chips, etc., a metal cup and matches or a lighter so you can melt snow for drinking water (if necessary), a tow rope, sand and jumper cables.
At home, make sure your furnace is working before winter begins. If you hear a snowstorm is headed your way, go to the store and stock up. If leaves are still on the trees, be prepared for the weight of the snow to bring branches down and possibly knock out power. Make sure any drafts are sealed off, make sure you have a way to stay warm if you lose your furnace and make sure you have plenty of candles, matches and flashlights that work (in case of a power outage).

If you live in the midwest, tornadoes are a threat in the springtime. Tornadoes can even strike during and after hurricanes in hurricane-prone areas. Here are some weather safety for tornadoes:

When a tornado warning is in effect, go to a basement, storm cellar or any other interior room (that is, a room without windows) on the lowest floor of your home like a closet or bathroom. Cover yourself with blankets, coats or even a mattress to for protection from flying debris.
If you're in a building, auditorium or mall, you want to go to the lowest level and try to stay away from open areas and glassy areas. In fact, avoid glass altogether. Generally, an emergency message will be broadcast on a loudspeaker telling you where the safest place to go is, and then you'll be expected to go there.
If you're driving, leave your car and head for the nearest structure for shelter. If none is available, lie flat in a ditch and cover your head with your hands.
Make sure you have plenty of supplies on hand in case of a loss of power and/or water. That would include working flashlights, candles, matches or a candle lighter, one gallon of bottled water per person per day, ice and coolers (to try and save any food in our refrigerator or freezer), a manual can opener and non-perishible foods.

Hurricanes are similar to tornadoes, but you get more warning. Follow these hurricane safety tips to protect your home and family.

Put up hurricane shutters if you have them. If not, secure plywood over your windows.
If shutters aren't available, move everything as far as possible away from your windows and stay away from the windows.
Prior to the hurricane, fill a bathtub or some buckets with water to use so you can flush your toilets after the hurricane if there's no water. So many things involving hurricanes are not things you think of. Make sure you are planning ahead!
If evacuation orders are issued, evacuate. But before you do, put any breakables in your bathtubs (instead of water--if you evacuate you probably won't come back until power and water are restored) and cover them with mattresses, blankets, pillows...whatever you can find to keep them from breaking.
If you evacuate, pack up things that can't be replaced (pictures, important documents, etc.) and take them with you.
If evacuation orders are not issued, make sure you have supplies on hand for a loss of power, as mentioned above.
Before the hurricane, make sure you get cash from your ATM and fill your car with gas. If there's a power outage, you might not be able to get gas or cash for awhile. When gas stations finally do open, they may only accept cash for gas. Many stores or gas stations might be open, but phone lines are damaged so they can't operate their credit card machines.

These weather safety are only the tip of the iceberg. We certainly didn't cover all weather emergency situations here. But these are some of the most common. Hopefully our tips will get you started on the right track.