Best practices for getting children to safety during a tornado?

Identifying a Safe Room

A tornado-safe room should have sturdy walls, a solid core door, and no windows. This could be a basement, storm cellar, or an interior room with no windows, like a bathroom or closet. If you don’t have a basement, choose a room without windows on the lowest floor. In a school or office building, identify the designated safe room, usually a small interior room or hallway with no windows.

Preparing for Evacuation

Create a tornado evacuation plan with your family, including a designated meeting spot outside the home. Practice the plan with your children, so they know what to do in case of a tornado warning. Make sure they understand the importance of staying low, especially in a car, with their heads below the windows. In the event of a school evacuation, follow the school’s emergency procedures.

Safely Escorting Children to Shelter

When guiding children to a safe room, maintain a calm and clear voice. Quickly escort them to the designated shelter, staying low to the ground to avoid debris. In a car, if no safe shelter is nearby, drive to a nearby building or lie flat in a low-lying area, like a ditch or depression. If you have a child with a disability, create a customized emergency plan with their caregiver and local authorities.