Improvements in weather forecasting and monitoring are enabling emergency officials to provide more advance warning in the face of severe weather such as tornadoes.

But those alerts are of limited usefulness if no one is listening or people don't know what to do when they hear an alert.

Last year, Illinois had a record number of tornadoes - 124 - but no deaths. There is some luck involved in the zero figure, but it also is a testament to warnings being given and heeded.

Recent deadly tornadoes in other states demonstrated the power of these storms.

As Illinois marks Severe Weather Preparedness Week, this is a good time to take steps in education and preparation.

The value of preparation is evident to all who remember what happened less than three years ago at Parsons Manufacturing, outside of Roanoke.

The plant took a direct hit from a tornado, but everyone survived because the business had someone monitoring the weather and had a shelter area of reinforced concrete where employees knew to go after participating in drills.

Families should be sure everyone knows the safest place to go in the house in the event of a severe storm.

Educate yourself about important weather terms.

A tornado WATCH means tornadoes are possible. Watch the sky, check pantagraph.com/weather and listen to radio or TV.

A tornado WARNING means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar. Take cover if you are in the affected area.

Among the steps individuals can take to protect themselves - and take greatest advantage of today's technology - is to get a weather alert radio. Prices vary along with features, but good alert radios are available for $30 to $40.

Like smoke detectors, these devices can save lives by giving warning.

Weather alert radios that carry the "public alert" logo, developed in conjunction with the National Weather Service, include features such as a tone alarm to activate the receiver even if the audio is off and the ability to specify the particular area for which you want the tone activated - such as McLean or Livingston county, for example.

Considering nearly 30 percent of tornadoes in Illinois strike after dark, the value of an alarm while you're sleeping is important. Don't rely on outdoor sirens alone.

It's also important to remember that, although tornadoes are dramatic and powerful, thunderstorms and floods are deadly, too.

Twenty-six people have been killed by lightning since 1990 in Illinois. Fourteen people have died in flash floods since 1995. Those deaths usually occur when someone tries to cross a flooded roadway, not recognizing the power of moving water.

Let's be safe and prepared.