The Tornado season is here. Uab Emergency Management gives tips on how to be prepared.

Spring marks the beginning of the storm season in the south. While Tornados can take place in every season, the Peak Tornado season in Alabama is March to May, according to the National Weather Service. Experts at the University of Alabama in Birmingham encourage everyone to take steps now to prepare for the risk of storm.

“As we go to the Tornado season, this is the time to make sure you have all the articles on your storm checklist,” said Eddie Coar, director of emergency management at UAB. “Storm can be unpredictable. It is important for everyone to know your risk and to create an emergency plan so that you are prepared in storm. “

Observe vs. Warning

A tornado clock is exhibited when tornados are possible in or near the watch area. During a tornado clock, it is important to quickly refresh the existing emergency plan and act quickly if a warning is issued or a tornado is suspected. A tornado warning means that a tornado has been sighted or displayed by the weather radar, and there is an immediate threat to life and property. In the case of a tornado warning, individuals should immediately look for refuge in the safest location, possible from windows. This can be an interior or the lowest floor of a stable building. If you are in a mobile home, vehicle or outdoors, you will find the closest and robust animal shelter. Know the signs of a tornado, including a rotating, funnel -shaped cloud, a approaching rubble cloud or a loud roar like a freight train.

In front of a tornado

Leave a family tornado plan available, including the safest place to protect yourself in the event of a tornado and to choose a given meeting point after a catastrophe. Also create an emergency pitch that is easily accessible and make sure that important documents are saved in a water and fire-proof safe.

The UAB emergency management has prepared checklists of objects to store an emergency kit in order to prepare for the beginning of the storm. This checklist should only be a guide. Personal needs can vary.

• Helmets (such as bike, motorcycle, sporty) for every family member
• Robust shoes to walk through glass and rubble safely
• First aid kit with additional prescription and non -prescription medication
• Battery -powered flashlight and additional batteries
• Battery radio, Wetterradio
• Three -day supply of proteins that contain protein such as nut and energy rods, canned feed and manual for an opener
• Three -day supply of water in bottles for every person and every pet
• ID like driver's license; Cash and credit cards
• Mobile phone charger
• Baby articles when a small child is in the household
• Copy of family emergency and communication plan
• Emergency -Finance -Te -Hilfe -Kit
• All other essential personal objects

During a tornado

During a tornado, individuals should immediately get to a safe place they identified. Those who live in a mobile home should reach the next permanent structure that you can find. Andrew Edwards, MD, Executive Vice Chair and Deputy Chairman of Education in the UAB Department of Emergency Medicine, says that individuals know where their safe space is in advance so that they can quickly get there in the event of a tornado.

“The best safe place for most people will be in the basement,” said Edwards. “If there is no basement, go to an interior on the ground floor of the house away from windows such as a bathroom, a closet or a hallway. Do not go outside to try to see whether the tornado is nearby, since the patients have been attempted to serve considerable injuries in the past. Take protection as soon as you hear the warning. “

In their safe space, everyone should take the necessary steps to protect themselves from injuries.

“Stumped Force trauma is the most common type of injury that we see in the emergency room after a tornado, with the majority of the injuries of flight objects or buildings that collapse that have arisen,” said Edwards. “Concentrate on protecting your head and neck with your arms and a helmet if available.”

Individuals should surround themselves with materials such as blankets, mattresses and furniture.

While there is no safe option when there is a car in a tornado, according to Ready.gov, there are fewer dangerous options.

• If the tornado is visible but is far enough away, individuals can possibly drive out of the path of the tornado by moving to the tornado at the right angle.
• If someone is trapped in extreme winds or flying rubble, they should quickly park the car outside of the traffic traces and stay in the car with the seat belt. Individuals should put their heads under the window level and cover their head and neck with their hands and a blanket, clothing or another pillow if possible.
• If there is a nearby area that is noticeably lower than the road, get out of the car and lie in the lowest possible area and cover your head with your arms.
• Avoid looking for protection under bridges, which can cause deadly traffic risks and at the same time offers little protection against flying debris.

“When a tornado subsides, dilapidated trees and power lines block the streets, which makes access to many injured patients extremely difficult for EMS,” said Edwards. “In addition to the difficulty of getting to the hospital, the emergency rooms are overwhelmed, and there are delays in the care of those who are not critically injured. The best solution for everyone is to try to prevent injuries in advance. “

After a tornado

After a tornado, families should meet at their given meeting point and wait for instructions from emergency staff. Try to get telephone batteries by saving calls for emergencies and using text messages or social media to communicate with family and friends. For updated information, listen to notal arm systems, weather radio devices and instructions from local officials. Contact first aiders for people who may need medical help. Keep away from fallen power lines and broken utility lines and avoid stepping on broken glass, nails and other sharp objects. Keep out of heavily damaged buildings because they could collapse. During cleaning, wear adequate equipment such as thick-soled shoes, pants and work gloves.

The UAB emergency management has a complete list of possibilities that you can prepare for the risk of storm Here.