Summer tornadoes--be prepared

Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scouts, published this motto, Be Prepared, in 1908.  His military training taught him to be ready for any difficulty that might come his way.  He thought, what was good for soldiers was good for civilians. And so it has been since the beginning of time.  Learn about life and pass it on.  Learn to read the signs of danger and respond wisely.   

That is why there are safety drills and training sessions and posters and Safety Awareness Week.  Stop!  Drop!  and Roll!  Don't play in the street.  Don't go with strangers!

When those loud, noisy sirens sound for five to eight minutes at 1:00 pm on the first Wednesday of each month, local emergency management officials want you to know why.  Testing the equipment is necessary to ensure they are in working order in case they need to be used to alert everyone to impending danger.  A "growl test" is performed on the remaining Wednesdays at 1:00 pm.  This shorter test sounds the siren at a low volume, testing the hardware and monitoring equipment.  These sirens provide an outdoor warning to alert all people to check local media outlets for emergency weather information, primarily concerning tornadoes, extremely large hail, and winds traveling at more than 65 mph. 

To learn more, go to http://www.southernminn.com/northfield_news/archives/article_4e4f710f-209a-54e4-a0c0-eb96a4d4ec82.html .  Emergency Preparedness Resources are listed for you at www.ci.northfield.mn.us/985/Emergency-Preparedness-Resources.   For a listing of Northfield Emergency Services go to  www.countyoffice.org/northfield-mn-emergency-services/.

CREDIT:  tornado poster from OSHA.gov  

Other from www.weather.gov