Lakewood To Test Outdoor Warning Sirens

From the City of Lakewood: Don't panic! The City of Lakewood will be testing their siren warnings on Wednesday, May 8 at 11:00 a.m.The test should conclude by 11:30 a.m.

All 26 sirens in the system will be activated with a long wail, followed by a voice test message over the public address portion of the system. The test will then conclude with one long siren wail.The annual test of the outdoor siren system is required to ensure that all 26 siren sites in Lakewood are functioning correctly.

If at the time of the siren test, weather conditions are such that a tornado watch or warning may be issued for the Lakewood area, the siren test will be cancelled.

Citizens interested in learning what to do when hearing outdoor warning sirens can read more about it at www.lakewood.org/sirens.

The siren system is intended to warn the outdoor population of natural or manmade danger.

Sign up to receive alerts on your cell phone. If the sirens blare when it is NOT a test, and you hear the sirens you should seek shelter immediately and use the following guidelines.

If you are in a structure (residence, school, business, medical facility, etc.): Go to a pre-designated shelter area such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar, or the lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of an interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck. Do not open windows.

If you are in a vehicle, trailer, or mobile home: Get out immediately and go to the lowest floor of a sturdy, nearby building or a storm shelter. Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes.

If you are outside with no shelter:

• Lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. Be aware of the potential for flooding
• Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.
• Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter.
• Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries.

Once you have reached shelter, you should tune into local news media for additional information. Lakewood’s sirens do not sound an “All Clear” tone, so consult the news media to learn when the danger has lifted.

Image Courtesy of the City of Lakewood