Safety Checklist Program for Schools

Severe Weather and Natural Disasters

Tornado:

• When a warning is issued by sirens or other means, seek inside shelter. Consider the following:
  
  
  • Small interior rooms on the lowest floor and without windows,
  • Hallways on the lowest floor away from doors and windows, and
  • Rooms constructed with reinforced concrete, brick, or block with no windows.
    
    
• Stay away from outside walls and windows.
• Remain sheltered until the tornado threat is announced to be over.

Earthquake:

• Use arms to protect head and neck
• Stay calm and await instructions from the Emergency Coordinator or the designated official.
• Keep away from overhead fixtures, windows, filing cabinets, and electrical power.
• Assist people with disabilities in finding a safe place.
• Evacuate as instructed by the Emergency Coordinator and/or the designated official.

Flood:

If indoors:

• Be ready to evacuate as directed by the Emergency Coordinator and/or the designated official.
• Follow the recommended primary or secondary evacuation routes.

If outdoors:

• Climb to high ground and stay there.
• Avoid walking or driving through flood water.
• If car stalls, abandon it immediately and climb to a higher ground.
  
  

Hurricane:

• The nature of a hurricane provides for more warning than other natural and weather disasters. A hurricane watch issued when a hurricane becomes a threat to a coastal area. A hurricane warning is issued when hurricane winds of 74 mph or higher, or a combination of dangerously high water and rough seas, are expected in the area within 24 hours.
  
  Once a hurricane watch has been issued:
  
  
• Stay calm and await instructions from the Emergency Coordinator or the designated official.
• Moor any boats securely, or move to a safe place if time allows.
• Continue to monitor local TV and radio stations for instructions.
• Move early out of low-lying areas or from the coast, at the request of officials.
• If you are on high ground, away from the coast and plan to stay, secure the building, moving all loose items indoors and boarding up windows and openings.
• Collect drinking water in appropriate containers.
  
  Once a hurricane warning has been issued:
  
  
• Be ready to evacuate as directed by the Emergency Coordinator and/or the designated official.
• Leave areas that might be affected by storm tide or stream flooding.
  
  During a hurricane:
  
  
• Remain indoors and consider the following:
  
  
  • Small interior rooms on the lowest floor and without windows,
  • Hallways on the lowest floor away from doors and windows, and
  • Rooms constructed with reinforced concrete, brick, or block with no windows.

Blizzard:

If indoors:

• Stay calm and await instructions from the Emergency Coordinator or the designated official.
• Stay indoors!
• If there is no heat:
  
  
  • Close off unneeded rooms or areas.
  • Stuff towels or rags in cracks under doors.
  • Cover windows at night.
    
    
• Eat and drink. Food provides the body with energy and heat. Fluids prevent dehydration.
• Wear layers of loose-fitting, light-weight, warm clothing, if available.
  
  If outdoors:
  
  
• Find a dry shelter. Cover all exposed parts of the body.
• If shelter is not available:
  
  
  • Prepare a lean-to, wind break, or snow cave for protection from the wind.
  • Build a fire for heat and to attract attention. Place rocks around the fire to absorb and reflect heat.
  • Do not eat snow. It will lower your body temperature. Melt it first.
    
    If stranded in a car or truck:
    
    
• Stay in the vehicle!
• Run the motor about ten minutes each hour. Open the windows a little for fresh air to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked.
• Make yourself visible to rescuers.
  
  
  • Turn on the dome light at night when running the engine.
  • Tie a colored cloth to your antenna or door.
  • Raise the hood after the snow stops falling.
    
    
• Exercise to keep blood circulating and to keep warm.