Importance of All Hazard/Weather Alert Radios

The importance of Weather Alert Radios or “All Hazard/Weather Alert” radios is becoming more important today with the increase of severe weather and hazardous conditions around the country.

There is a perception that outdoor sirens provide warning for approaching severe weather but that is incorrect assumption. Today outdoors sirens are getting better; most today are backed up by a battery (Uninterrupted Power Supply-UPS) but there are some outdoor sirens in need of repair or have no UPS attached. If the power were to fail you would hear nothing on the approaching severe weather. The real word here is the term “Outdoor” that we need to understand. The “Outdoor” sirens are for outdoor use, meaning if you are outside these sirens will help notify you of severe weather approaching, and they are NOT made for indoor warnings.

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Most of the time when you hear an outdoor siren that tells you one thing, take cover! The severe weather is approaching or upon you and you should take cover immediately.

This brings us to the question what does warn us of severe weather or hazardous conditions in our area? The simple answer is “All Hazard/Weather Alert Radios”. These radios are designed to warn us of severe weather and any hazardous conditions that happen such as a railroad accident with a chemical spill. The National Weather Service sends out a broadcast 24 hours a day, 7 days a week that includes your local forecast, current conditions and any severe weather in your area. This radio will work anywhere in the United States using 7 different frequencies the NWS uses to broadcast on.
Most of the alert radios being sold today use AC power and have a battery. If your power fails the alert radio will still work and alert you for severe weather. Another feature of the newer alert radios is a function called S.A.M.E, which stands for Specific Area Messaging Encoding. What that really means is you can program the alert radio for your specific county and not a county 200 miles from you. This is a great feature and really provides better warnings for only the counties you want.

If you have a weather alert radio or are looking for a new one, make sure it has the S.A.M.E. technology built in along with a battery backup. There are several manufacturers today that make All Hazard/Weather alert radios such as Midland Radio, Oregon Scientific, First Alert, Radio Shack, and others. The cost of these radios is from $30 to $100 depending on what options are on the radio such as AM/FM Radio, alarm clock and other features. What they all have in common is they alert you for severe weather and hazardous conditions. There are portable alert radios along with desktop models; both can be taken with you where ever you go in the United States.

Are you ready for Severe Weather? Purchase an All Hazard/Weather Alert today! Most hardware stores carry these radios along with some grocery stores and you can purchase online web sites too.

National Weather Service Information on “All Hazard/Weather Alert” radios:
• http://www.weather.gov/nwr/

Web sites with All Hazard/Weather Alert Radios:
• Midland Radio Web Site : http://www.midlandradio.com
• Oregon Scientific Web Site: http://www2.oregonscientific.com/
• Radio Shack: http://www.radioshack.com