Tornado Safety and Awareness at Southern Illinois University

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the general understanding of college students within Southern Illinois University Carbondale populace as to their knowledge, attitude and behavior toward tornado awareness and safety. A convenience sample of 111 students during the Foundations of Health and Health Education in Early Childhood was taken. There was also a comparison between students living on campus versus off campus. The research tool consisted of a survey with three sections: knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. There were 14 knowledge questions with an average score of 8.97 (64%) for on campus students and 9.40 (67%) for off campus students. Twenty-nine percent of students on campus knew the definition of a tornado warning compared with only five percent of off campus students. The survey signified that students were neutral regarding their safety if a tornado were to strike Southern Illinois University and neutral regarding the safety education that Southern Illinois University provides. The students overall score of 65% on knowledge question shows that further education on tornado safety and preparedness needs to take place. From the findings there is a need to build a tornado awareness program within the Foundations of Health classes so that students are better educated and prepared in case a tornado event were to occur on campus. Reviewing safe tornado procedures at the beginning of each semester and again during times of severe weather outbreaks can help save lives. With proper safety systems in place student, faculty, and staff of the Southern Illinois University Carbondale community will be best protected when severe weather arises.