Fire & Weather Safety
Preventions and Methods
Benchmark: The student will demonstrate ways to avoid and reduce threatening situations by having students differentiate between severe weather and fire safety methods.
Tornado Facts
• Tornadoes can occur any time of the year
• In an average year, tornadoes cause 70 fatalities and 1,500 injuries nationwide
• They can produce winds up to 250 mph
• Tornadoes can be more than a mile wide and stay on the ground for up to 50 miles
Tornado Safety
• If a tornado warning has been issued, take cover. This means a Tornado has been spotted in the area.
• Find shelter on the lowest area of your home
• If you do not have a basement go underneath a staircase, in a bathroom, or in a room without windows
• If available, try to cover yourself with mattresses or blankets
• Try to have a radio, flashlight and tennis shoes with you to keep yourself protected from the storm
Severe Weather Facts
• Lightening injuries 1,000 people per year and causes around 100 deaths
• Lightening can strike 10 miles away from the actual storm
Severe Weather Safety
• As soon as you see lightening, count the number of seconds until you hear thunder, if it is less than 30 seconds, take cover
• Do not stand under trees, or tall objects
• Stay away from water (pools, lakes, etc)
• A building offers the best protection, but a car does well too
Fire Safety
• If you see smoke coming under the door — don't open the door!If you don't see smoke — touch the door!
• If the door is hot or very warm — don't open the door!
• If you don't see smoke — and the door is not hot — then use your fingers to lightly touch the doorknob. If the doorknob is hot or very warm — don't open the door!
Be Prepared for a Fire
• Have a fire extinguisher on hand in the home
• Make sure there are fire alarms in the home
• Have an escape plan