Weather radios can save lives

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - This week has been National Severe Weather Preparedness Week and there is something very important you may want to have in your home.

It's a NOAA weather radio and it could end up saving your life.

We all remember the severe weather we went through last year. From the June 1st Tornado, the flooding from Tropical Storm Irene to the October snowstorm, we pretty much had it all.

But in order to protect yourself and your family from severe weather you need to know when it's coming.

“I think I actually do have the alerts set up on my phone but normally I'll just either check the news or check the weather at night or at least once a day,” said Lissa Robinovitz of South Windsor, Conn.

But that may not be enough when it comes to severe weather like we saw last year.

A weather radio will alert you when you're in your home especially when you're sleeping at night and severe weather is approaching.

The weather radio is basically an alarm clock with a severe weather alarm built in.

The alarm will sound when a watch, warning or advisory is issued and you can listen to the National Weather Service information on whatever's coming.

Newer weather radios use what is called SAME technology which allows you to program the radio to go off when watches and warnings are issued for just your county.

The radios can be plugged in but will also run on batteries so you can stay informed if the power goes out.

Some people 22News talked to who were unfamiliar with weather radios are now considering getting one.

“Yeah that is a good idea, yeah I would, I would invest in it. I would because knowing the weather I would,” said Hailima Shilleh from New York.

“Well yes if it's something that's going to save your life absolutely,” said Christopher Peczka of Springfield.

In addition to getting a weather radio you can get severe weather text alerts sent directly to your mobile phone through our website at WWLP.com.

You can get weather radios at most discount stores and they really are important to have because they can save lives.