Helmet Protection from Tornadoes – The CDC makes a Recommendation

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still maintains that the best defense for those in the path of a tornado is to find a shelter or a tornado-safe room, the agency weighed in on the debate over the use of helmets for tornado protection.

“We don’t have research on the effectiveness of helmet use to prevent head injuries during a tornado, but we do know that head injuries are common causes of death during tornadoes, and we have long made the recommendation that people try to protect their heads,” the CDC wrote in a statement released to the media as part of their efforts to promote protective measures for use during natural disasters including tornadoes.

In the statement, the CDC went on to reiterate their position that short of a tornado shelter, the safest place in the home is the interior part of a basement. The agency suggests that when possible, individuals indoors get under something sturdy such as a heavy table or workbench and if outdoors, lie down in a gully or ditch.

While the CDC does not oppose the use of helmets for protection from head injury during a tornado, they do have one caution. If individuals decide to use helmets to protect their heads, because the time to react to an approaching tornado may be very short, individuals should know where their helmets are and have them readily accessible.

“Looking for a helmet in the few seconds before a tornado hits may delay you getting safely to shelter. For those who choose to use helmets, these helmets should not be considered an alternative to seeking appropriate shelter. Rather, helmets should be considered just one part of their overall home tornado preparedness kit to avoid any delay.”