Be Informed

August 28, 2018
Be Informed Feature Image

This month’s goal:

Make sure everyone in your household can receive, understand and act on information received in an emergency.

Getting correct information during an emergency is the key to taking safe action. Someone in your household may not be able to receive, understand or act on emergency information. Think about what special needs your household may have. Take action now to make sure everyone in your family will be safe in an emergency.

Make sure everyone in your family knows what to do when they hear emergency warnings.

When you hear the outdoor warning sirens sound in your area, it is not safe for you to be outdoors. You should take cover inside a sturdy building and get more information from television, radio, internet or by contacting a friend or family member.

Call your local fire department to find out if your area is covered by warning sirens, when they are tested, and when they would be activated. Make sure other members of your household know what to do when outdoor warning sirens sound.

Some communities have other ways of warning residents. Check with your local emergency management or sheriff’s office to find out what other warning systems are used in your area.

Get a NOAA Emergency Alert Radio
Severe weather may strike when people are sleeping or unaware of the forecast. A NOAA emergency alert radio (sometimes called a weather radio) can turn itself on when an emergency alert is issued and warn you at any time — day or night.

Every home should have an emergency alert radio, just the way all homes should have a smoke detector. Prices start at about $20. Most run on batteries or have battery back-up.