Severe Weather Safety Tips

While April showers bring May flowers, they can also bring tornados and severe weather. When it comes to storm and outage preparation, we should plan for everyone in the family – including the furriest members of our family! To spread the word, we partnered with City Utilities of Springfield. 

Tornado & Severe Weather Preparation

1. Bring your pets inside.
2. Keep emergency pet supplies in a tornado-safe area (along with an emergency kit for the humans, too)
3. Make sure your pet is wearing a collar with up-to-date identification – kitties, too!
4. Practice getting your pets into the tornado-safe area
5. Make your tornado-safe area animal-friendly (no toxins or dangerous tools, and seal off cracks where cats can hide)
6. If you must evacuate, take your pets and their emergency supplies with you
7. Take special care of your pets after the tornado has passed, and don’t allow them to run loose
8. Keep photos of your pets on hand in case you get separated
9. Be sure your pet is microchipped and that the information is accurate with the microchip company
10. Have a copy of detailed care instructions for your pets

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Furry Friends Emergency Kit:

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Checklist:

• Extra leashes and collars
• Food and water bowls
• Three-week supply of food (exchange every two months)
• Favorite toys and treats – a few of your furry friend’s favorite things can help alleviate stress during a crisis
• Three gallons of water
• Extra medications
• Towel, blankets, bed
• Waste disposal tools (baggies, cleaner, litter, litter pan, scoop, etc.)