It's tornado season again. Some helpful information on staying safe.

http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/tornado

The above link from the Red Cross has a great list of ways to prepare for tornado season, how to respond during a tornado, and what to do after a tornado has struck your area.

Also, a few basic tips from someone who's lived in tornado-heavy states for the vast majority of his life:

Take all watches and warnings seriously. Local stations in states heavily affected by tornadoes tend to provide very good coverage of activity in their areas. If a warning or watch is issued, take it dead seriously and be ready to take shelter.

Be sure your family or people you live with know what to do. The worst time to be unsure of how to handle a tornado is when one is bearing down on you. Designate a room to shelter in and go over what to do away from home.

Know where to take shelter. Basements are best, but failing that, an interior, windowless room on the lowest floor of the building are usually safe places to be. Mobile homes aren't safe.

Don't put yourself at unnecessary risk. Don't mess around with tornadoes. Unless you're a professional storm chaser, don't go out of your way to photograph or record them. Stay close to shelter. Emergency responders have finite resources, and shouldn't have to use them saving people who never should have needed them in the first place.

Time and resource permitting, find ways to donate. If you're able, find the local Red Cross chapter for an area affected by a tornado and find how you can help. Some chapters are okay with nonperishables and clothes, others are not and may simply ask for a monetary donation. All, on the other hand, will ask for blood donations. If you're medically eligible and have the time to spare, schedule an appointment at a local blood drive. You'll save lives.