Printed in Great Britain Risk Factors for Tornado Injuries

hospitalization and 59 to be killed. To evaluate risk factors, we gathered information on 238 (94%) of those hospitalized and 46 (78%) of those killed. Those hospitalized or deceased had statistically significantly more deep cuts, con-cussions, unconsciousness and broken bones than those with them at the time of the tornado who were not hospi-talized or killed. People living in mobile homes were more likely to be hospitalized or die than people occupying conventional houses. Other risk factors for hospitalization or death included advanced age (60+ years), no physical protection (not having been covered with a blanket or other object), having been struck by broken window glass or other falling objects, home lifted off its foundation, collapsed ceiling orfioor, or walls blown away. More awareness of the tornado risk before it strikes and better adherence to tornado protection guidelines could reduce injuries and deaths in the future. Tornadoes rank among the top natural-disaster killers in the US ' and, during the past 50 years, have led to almost 10000 fatalities. In the same period, another 10 000 fatalities have resulted from severe wind-storms.2 In the 1970s alone, almost one million people are estimated to have received emergency care relate