Move students quickly into interior rooms or hallways on the lowest floor. Conduct frequent storm drills. Make sure several leaders know how to turn off electricity and gas in the event the school is damaged. Lunches, classes, or assemblies in these areas should be delayed if severe weather is anticipated. Keep children at school beyond regular hours if threatening weather is expected.
Children are safer at school than in a bus or car.
Students should not be sent home early if severe weather is approaching. Seek refuge near the basement wall in the most sheltered and deepest below-ground part of the basement. Beneath basement stairs, or under heavy furniture or a workbench is a good refuge. Take cover in the smallest room with stout walls. Under heavy furniture, or a tipped-over, sturdy upholstered couch or chair near the center of the house is a good option.