Severe weather safety tips

MARION COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Here are a few safety tips if you are experiencing dangerous weather.

Marion County Fire Rescue recommends the following:

• Design and discuss a hazardous weather awareness plan with your family.
• When designating a safe meeting place, choose an uncluttered hallway, bathroom or closet with no windows located on the ground floor.
• Assemble a Disaster Kit that includes first aid supplies; medications; special supplies for babies, seniors or disabled family members; canned food; a non-electric can opener; at least three gallons of water per person; protective clothing; bedding or sleeping bags; flashlights and extra batteries.
• Purchase a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio and keep extra batteries on-hand. (This will serve as a first line of defense should a tornado touch-down.)
• Learn how to turn off the water, gas and electricity at the main switches and keep written instructions nearby.
• If trapped outdoors with no time to seek shelter inside, lie in a ditch or low-lying area and use your arms to protect your head and neck.
• Listen to local radio and television stations to get updated storm information and understand the difference between a tornado watch and warning. (A tornado watch means a tornado is possible in the area whereas a tornado warning is much more imminent and serious, involving a report of an actual tornado touch-down.)
• During a tornado, use your arms to protect your head and neck from flying debris and potential roof collapse.

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