Heather’s Weather Lab: Places for Weather Radios

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s a device that’s been around for more than thirty years to help warn us of the storms that are coming; a weather radio. While most of us place them next to our beds, there are other places we may not think about that are indeed a good place to have them.

“You can’t rely on outdoor sirens. The reason for that is outdoor sirens are for outdoor actives, said Pickens County EMA Director, Ken Gibson.

He says weather radios are a not just a want but a necessity to protect you and your family during severe weather.

“Several people have used them to where they have taken cover and it saved their lives,” said Gibson.

But making sure to place your weather radio in the right place, can also mean the difference between life and death.

“The most important thing is to see where you have the best frequency, that usually is in a window somewhere. But most of the time, within their bedroom. where they’re going to be most of the time,” said Gibson.

One unconventional place to have a weather radio is next to you at your office. Just make sure it has a full battery. Other places like in your car, living room, kitchen or any place that you can easily hear it when it sounds – would be ideal during severe weather.

“The most important thing is for people to understand that they need to take care of their families and to do that they got to have some type of warning system inside their home,” said Gibson.

And a weather radio is one piece of technology that will help you do just that, warn you and your family of tornado warnings that are issued for your county.

You can program your weather radio to sound only for your county. Need help programming it? We’ll help! Our team of Meteorologists will be at the Kroger in Starkville from four 4:30p-7p on February 12 to program your weather radio. com.