President, Blais Insurance
Tornadoes in our state? Keep these safety tips in mind
Tornadoes
in Rhode Island are so rare that it is justifiably hard to compare it to other
naturally occurring events. With various reports indicating that tornados did
in fact touch down in Lincoln and other neighboring communities last month, and
with some researchers saying the Northeast will experience more tornadoes in
the coming years, many families may be wondering what they should do if another
tornado touches down in our small state. To help families know what steps to
take the next time a tornado warning is issued, Blais Insurance would like to
share a tornado tips crash course that
may help keep your family safe.
Believe
it or not, Rhode Island has seen about a dozen tornadoes touch down in the
state over the course of American history. To put that into perspective, the
center of the United States, also known as Tornado Alley, has seen hundreds of
tornadoes in 2018 alone.
It
is important to consider that tornadoes in Rhode Island have the potential to
greatly exceed the damage caused by a similar tornado in the Great Plains. The
reason is because properties and people are more densely populated when
compared to some Midwestern regions. Another reason is because people from that
region have likely participated in tornado safety drills either at school or at
work.
Since
most longtime Rhode Islanders have not taken part in any tornado drills, Blais
Insurance would like to share some tornado preparedness tips to help families
stay safe the next time a tornado comes roaring through our backyard. These
tips will be essential in keeping your family safe, especially if a tornado appears
without warning like the one we recently experienced.
Stay Away from Windows
Strong
winds will throw debris strong enough to break a window. Families should stay
from windows to avoid being cut from flying glass.
Do Not Try to Outrun a Tornado
Tornadoes
can appear without warning and begin to cause destruction immediately. As easy
as it may seem to drive away from a tornado, experts who study these vortexes say
that motorists should pull over and seek secure shelter instead to avoid an
injury or an automobile accident.
Every Second Counts So Head Indoors, and Underground
Flying
debris can become dangerous projectiles that can harm you. It is important that people, whether they are
at home or outside, head to a basement or lowest floor with few to no windows
to avoid injury.
Cover Your Head
When
you find a safe place to hide, use your hands and arms to protect your head. It
is also encouraged to use blankets to cover yourself if they are available.
Keep A Radio Handy
For
families that are fortunate enough to have a battery –powered radio available,
tune in to a local broadcast to find out when it is safe to go outside.
Tell Your Friends and Family You Are Safe
Once
the tornado has passed, call or text your loved ones to tell them you are safe.
This will prevent emergency lines from being jammed when others need immediate
medical assistance.
Property
and other valuable belongings can easily be replaced. Blais Insurance is always
here to help protect you and your family from all types of losses, but we would
like to remind you to heed our safety tips because loved ones are irreplaceable.
Call us at 401-725-0070 to learn about our insurance products and services, and
to learn why families have trusted us with their insurance needs for over 100
years.
