Is Under the Stairwell a Good Place in a Tornado?

In the Home

• Under the stairwell in a basement is the best place to seek shelter should a tornado strike. If the house does not have a basement, find shelter in the lowest level of the home, placing as many interior walls between you and the outside as possible. Under a stairwell that leads to upper levels of the house, inside a bathroom or inside a closet are good choices. Consider where large objects -- such as pianos, tubs or refrigerators -- are located and avoid taking shelter directly under these objects. Don't seek shelter on a stairwell because the open area provides a path for debris. Avoid windows.

At Work

• In offices and tall buildings, find shelter at the lowest level available. If the building has a basement, go there. If there is room under a stairwell, crouch there. Interior hallways, small closets and windowless bathrooms are acceptable tornado shelters. As a last resort, curl into an egg position under a heavy desk, protecting the back of your head with your hands.

At School

• Stay away from any rooms that have large roof expanses, such as auditoriums, gyms or libraries. Evacuate mobile classrooms as these structures can sustain heavy damage in tornadoes. If the main school building has a stairwell, seek shelter under it. As in office buildings, find shelter along interior hallways and away from windows.

In Shopping Centers

• Shopping centers are built with glass and open spaces. Multi-level shopping malls often have strong stairwells but few of them. Those that are available could be difficult to reach in the few seconds you have to respond to a tornado threat. If you are near one and away from glass storefronts or windows, a stairwell is a good choice. Otherwise, the safest place in a shopping center is crouching against an interior wall that leads away from the main concourse. Malls typically have fire exits composed of long hallways that are devoid of windows.