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Local Tornado and Safety Tips Tara Jenkins
Distributed FREE to Cremona, Water Valley, Carstairs, Crossfield and Sundre, Didsbury & the Rural Routes of Carstairs, Crossfield, Madden, Dog Pound, Didsbury, Sundre, Bergen and Bottrel
Deadline for the Second August issue is:
August 16, 2012 11am Paper Release Date:
August 23, 2012 Paper Day is
Thursday
HITCHING POST NEWS Office Hours:9am-3:30pm Phone: 403-637-2953 editor@hitchingpostnews.com www.hitchingpostnews.com Editor Tara Jenkins Publishers Tara Jenkins & Angela Lambert Staff Cartoonist Simon Oleny tara@hitchingpostnews.com angela@hitchingpostnews.com
The beautiful summer weather we’ve been experiencing in the area for the past couple of weeks has caused some rather severe weather in the evenings making the following tornado safety tips a potentially valuable tool for us all.
Be aware of how your community shares up to date weather information and warnings. Know the difference between a WATCH and a WARNING
Stay away from windows. If possible find shelter away from 14 Tornado Safety Tips Determine the best location for glass windows since flying debris or where you and your family will strong winds are likely to damage or shelter should there be a tornado break the window presenting a whole new problem with the flying while you’re at home. and broken glass. Conduct safety drills with the family. The Canadian Red Cross Get in position… Once in a safe suggests you could combine this shelter find a sturdy structure i.e. a with your regular fire safety drill. desk or workbench and get under it. When discussing tornadoes though If there is nothing to hide under instead of “stop, drop, and roll” its crouch in a doorframe, the beams “roll, duck, and cover”. Roll to a may offer some protection. low area, duck under protection, and Mobile home residents should take cover your head. extra precautions by having a prearranged shelter that is not inside Prepare an Emergency Supply Kit -Have a 3 day supply per person their home. As scary as it seems lying flat on the ground outside may (and pet) of food and bottled water be safer than staying in the home -1st Aid kit that includes since it isn’t secured to the ground. prescription drugs, antacids, aspirin, If you are in a public building get to the basement or lowest level and baby wipes etc. possible. Avoid open spaces like an -Can opener, utility knife, wrench atrium or cafeteria. and other small hand tools Should you be in a vehicle and spot -Whistle, battery-powered radio, a tornado, do not try to out run the storm. Try to get inside a building. flashlights, and batteries If that is not possible lie down flat in -Blankets, clothes, rain gear, and a ditch or any low lying area away from the vehicle. Use your hands foot wear and arms to protect your head. -Cash, a copy of credit cards,
Box 456 Water Valley, AB T0M 2E0
passport, SIN, drivers license, phone Unfortunately if you’re outside numbers (including insurance when the storm hits, the best advice is to find a shelter in a fixed company) building. Check your kit at least once per year to ensure you’re stocked or the Once the storm has passed treat any needs of your family have changed. injuries and seek medical help if Also ensure the expiration on lotions necessary. or medications has not passed. Gas leaks are probable if the tornado Make an inventory of your has been close enough to your home possessions; it may reduce insurance to cause damage. Be aware of the fire hazard associated and your hassles later. vulnerability to an explosion. 2 • Volume 2 , Issue 8A • Hitching Post News
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