Changes to American Red Cross Policy Regarding Tornado Safety

 

The American Red Cross has revised its public safety advice to include new information about what to do if you are caught outdoors during a tornado. 

If you cannot get to shelter, our new recommendation, advises that you should try to protect yourself in your car by doing the following:

• Get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and drive at right angles to the storm movement so you can get out of the path.
• If strong winds and flying debris occur while you are driving, pull over and park, keeping seat belts on and the engine running.  Put your head down below the windows, covering with you hands and a blanket if possible.

The most important thing to remember is that you should always try to seek shelter first in a basement, shelter or sturdy building. That advice hasn’t changed and is universally recognized as the most effective way to stay safe in a tornado.

We came to this new position after a review process undertaken by the Advisory Council for First Aid, Aquatics, Safety and Preparedness (ACFASP), which is an independent panel of health and safety experts that advises the Red Cross. This 30-member panel of nationally recognized health professionals and medical experts holds degrees and certifications in emergency medicine, disaster mobilization and emergency response. This change is consistent with the findings of numerous scientific studies.

We are eager to discuss this matter further with the National Weather Service and other interested groups, knowing that we all share the common goal of protecting the public during a tornado.