Basements beat out helmets as the better defense against tornadoes

In recent news, helmets have been touted as a tool to help reduce the chance of suffering a head trauma during a tornado; however, there seems to be some confusion as to how effective a helmet can be.

The Centers for Disease Control is finding it necessary to clarify that putting on a bike helmet doesn’t magically turn you into Superman, and that you can still get killed with your skull bones intact. So they recommend that if you are on your way to the basement, that you don’t stop off to rummage through your stuff to find a helmet.

Since many fatalities during a tornado result from head injuries, some safety advocates have been recommending that people put on helmets during a tornado; however, they forgot to clarify that the time to get a helmet is not five seconds before a tornado hits. For example, if you can see the tornado coming towards your house, it’s probably better to take shelter in the basement instead of get in the car, leaving your kids behind, to go by helmets from the local sporting goods store.

Safety advocates should never underestimate the lack of common sense in the American people…the CDC doesn’t.