Make a Safety Plan

One of the most frightening things you can hear in the American mid-west is a tornado siren. In my state, that happened 57 times last year. We have had 62 siren warnings so far in 2023. To live here and hope to survive extreme weather is to be prepared.

A few weeks ago, the sirens went off in the middle of the night. Although the evening news warned of the possibility of tornadic activity, many people took no precautions. Perhaps desensitization is to blame? I have friends that actually slept right through the sirens. Thankfully they were spared any harm or property damage. Not everyone is so lucky.

Make a List and Check it Twice

Living through a weather event can be compared to surviving a domestic violence attack-it takes preparation. Knowing the warning signs and taking precautions in both situations can mean the difference between life and death. When you live in tornado alley, eventually you will gather five necessities that you can take to a predetermined safe place: food, water, clothing, cell pone and medication. Those five things, plus a few more including a protective order and readily available cash can empower a stalking or domestic violence victim. It’s called a safety plan and it is critical to moving beyond a fear mindset.

If you have reason to believe someone you care about is a current or potential domestic violence victim, please encourage them to talk with a professional domestic violence advocate to develop a safety plan.

A deadly tornado, an EF4, took place in Oklahoma on May 3, 2008. The skies were blue and peaceful…right up until they weren’t. A few lost their lives, many lost property and all who lived through it lost peace of mind. Just as deadly weather can come out of the blue, so can domestic violence. Preparation doesn’t guarantee survival, but it does increase the chances.