SYRACUSE -- During this transitional time of the year weather-wise, sharp cold fronts have the ability to spawn strong and severe thunderstorms as they sweep across Central NY.

September is preparedness month at the American Red Cross.

While the organization is able to respond to a wide range of natural disasters, the local chapter of the American Red Cross is urging our community to prepare specifically for severe thunderstorms.

To get a rough gauge on our CNY thunderstorm-savvy, I went to Onondaga Lake Park to ask a few questions. For example, where is the safest place in your house to go during a severe thunderstorm?

Alison Morgan of Baldwinsville told says the safest place in her some is, “The basement, and we’ve actually had to do that last year.”

Dave Griola of East Syracuse says, “There’s a hallway, that leads upstairs, that has no windows. So I could stay there.”

As many people know, the safest place to go during a severe thunderstorm is the lowest, most-interior section of your home. For example, a basement. However, you want to get away from glass windows, or glass of any sort quite frankly. These can fragment and become a dangerous projectile in the winds.

How about lightning, which kills more people each year than tornadoes or hurricanes? How long should you wait after the last clap of thunder before heading back outside?

Bob Linn of Manlius says, “I think you gotta wait 15 to 20 minutes.”

Donna Witkowski of Liverpool says, “After the last clap of thunder? 10 minutes? I don’t really know.”

The complete American Red Cross thunderstorm safety checklist is available here.