Get better locks, use them

OK, so you're in a hurry to go on a short errand and you rush out the door without thinking. Mistake. Even the best locks can't protect you from burglaries if you don't use them.

If you do remember to lock the door, doing it won't help much if you don't have a good lock. The National Crime Prevention Council estimates that only half of us have dead-bolt locks on all of our entry doors. That means ALL doors, not just the front door.

Windows should be locked as well. Many a thief or home invader is willing to climb through a window to gain access.

The National Crime Prevention Council has other advice on prevention:

• Trim bushes close to the house so a burglar can't hide there.

• Never hide a key on the premises. Crooks are experts at finding them. Instead, leave a spare key with a trusted friend or neighbor.

• Make friends with your neighbors. They will keep an eye on your place and call the police when suspicious activities occur.

• Light the entrances to your home, including the front door, the back door, the sliding door and any others.

• Stop mail and newspaper deliveries when you leave for a vacation or a business trip. Piled up newspapers are an obvious tip off that the house will be empty and a burglar can take his sweet time deciding what to steal or whether to call a moving van and clean the place out.

Spring tornadoes

The tornado is the most violent of storms. Winds can be as high as 300 miles per hour, and forward speeds can be up to 40 miles per hour.

When: March, April, May, and June are the most likely months for a tornado to develop. May is usually the worst month. About 80 percent of tornados strike between noon and midnight, with 20 percent occurring during the two-hour span from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: The first storms are usually reported during March in Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Louisiana.

Though tornados don't follow anyone's rules, statistics show that they then move to Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Michigan, and Illinois during April and May. Generally, in May and June the front moves to Nebraska, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, and farther east.

What to do: When the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning, it means a funnel cloud has been sighted. Wherever you are at the time, put your emergency action plan into motion. Designate someone to watch for the funnel cloud. If one is sighted, get to your emergency place.

Where to go: Above ground, a steel-frame or reinforced concrete building can provide shelter. At home, go to the basement and get under a sturdy table. If there is no basement, stay in a central hall on the lowest floor, or in a closet or bathroom.

In an office or factory, stay in an interior hallway on the lowest floor or in a designated shelter area. Stay away from windows. Never stay in a car or a mobile home.

Outside: If you are outdoors where there is no shelter, or if you have left your car or mobile home, get to a low spot such as a ditch or ravine, and lie down there.

Remember that more than one tornado may be in the same area. Stay where you are until you know the weather has cleared.

Lone workers should give safety top priority

Some jobs are so dangerous that federal standards prohibit anyone from doing them alone. Though your work may not be that hazardous, if you work alone you face unusual hazards. Here are some problems to watch for:

• Lack of communication. Security guards, repair service people, and telecommuters should be sure their walkie-talkies or cell phones are in good condition so they can call for help if necessary.

• Dangerous machinery or equipment. Anyone working alone on heavy machinery, at extreme heights, or around high-voltage equipment should take extra precautions and be required to check in frequently with a supervisor.

• Those who deal with the public, such as real estate agents and store clerks, should ideally have someone working with them or make an effort not to be alone in a remote location with a stranger.

• Safety shortcuts. Veteran workers may cut corners on safety when they are alone. Telecommuters may overload circuits in a way they would not in other areas of their homes, or would not be allowed to in the office. Electrical accidents are an increasing problem with the growth of telecommuting.

Lone workers do many different kinds of work. While it's difficult to set rules that apply to all, being aware and prepared for hazardous situations is the first step to being a safe solitary worker.