From the Fire Department

TORNADO WATCH AND WARNING DO YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCE?

WATCH:

A Tornado Watch is issued to alert people to the possibility of tornado development in your area

WARNING:

A Tornado Warning is issued when a tornado has actually been sighted or is indicated by radar

Get alerts on your wireless device

An droid iPhone

1. Go to the “Settings” app.

2. Go to “Notifications.”

3. Select “Advanced Settings.”

4. Choose “Wireless emergency alerts.”

5. Toggle on “Allow Alerts.”

6. Turn on all the alert options below.

1. Go to your “Settings” app.

2. Tap “Notifications.”

3. Scroll to the bottom of the page to “Government Alerts.”

4. Turn “AMBER Alerts” on.

5. Select “Emergency Alerts.”

6. Turn “Emergency Alerts” and “Always Play Sound” on.

7. Go back and turn “Public Safety Alerts” on

Where Should I Take Shelter?

In a Home: A basement provides the greatest safety. Seek shelter under sturdy furniture if possible. In homes without basements, take cover in the center part of the house, on the lowest floor, in a small room such as a closet or bathroom, or under sturdy furniture. Keep away from windows.

In a Mobile Home: The home should be evacuated, and shelter taken in a pre-arranged shelter. If there is no shelter nearby, leave the trailer and lie flat in a ditch or ravine. Protect your head by placing your arms over it. Do not take shelter under the home.

Driving a Vehicle: Get out of the vehicle and take shelter in a nearby ditch or ravine. Do not get under the vehicle. Lie flat and put your arms over your head.

At School or at Work: Follow advanced plans to move into interior hallways or small rooms on the lowest floor. Avoid areas with glass and wide, free span roofs. (Schools, factories, and office buildings should designate someone to look out for severe weather and initiate an alarm)

In Open Country: Lie in a gully, ditch or low spot in the ground and hold on to something on the ground if possible. Do not seek shelter in damaged buildings.

Myth

Areas near rivers, lakes, mountains and big cities are safe from tornadoes

Fact No place is safe from tornadoes

Myth

Fact

Myth

Fact

Myth

Fact

The low pressure with a tornado causes building to “explode” as the tornado passes over

Violent winds and debris slamming into buildings cause the most structural damage

Windows should be opened before a tornado approaches to equalize pressure and minimize damage

Opening windows allows damaging winds to enter the structure. Leave the windows alone; instead, immediately go to a safe place

Tornadoes are always visible from a great distance

Tornadoes can be hidden in heavy rainfall or nearby low hanging clouds

Be Prepared!

Receive an alert if severe weather is in your area over your phone! Sign up for Alert Fairfield County at: http://www.fairfieldema.com/alerts/index.html

No access to wireless alerts? Get a weather alert radio

Our local tornado sirens are designed to alert you when you are outside to an emergency situation. But what about when you are inside your snug, airtight house, or if a siren fails to sound? Chief Mike Little urges all citizens to have at least one Weather Alert radio inside their homes and businesses so you can be immediately alerted to a weather emergency. These type of radios are available for purchase at our Refugee Road location, or at most major electronics retailers