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Step 1
Set your NOAA weather radio to "alert mode" at night, even if it's set to be silent. If there is an emergency in your area, the tones sent out by NOAA will activate your radio automatically. This is extremely important during tornadoes or hurricane season, but the radio will alert you to "All Hazards." You will hear the easily recognized tones followed by a voice message alerting you of the hazard.
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Step 2
Maintain your batteries and replace them as needed. An easy tip to remember is change the batteries at the change of seasons, like you do with your smoke detector. Keep extra fresh batteries close to the NOAA radio. During storms, power can go out but your radio will stay on with battery backup.
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Step 3
Add an external antenna if you have difficulty receiving the NOAA weather alerts. Many NOAA weather radios offer external antenna connections as an accessory. Follow manufacturer directions for installing an external antenna.
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Step 4
Program your NOAA weather radio correctly, if you've bought a radio specifically for the visually or hearing impaired. Many NOAA weather radios offer strobe lights, bed shakers or pagers as accessories for the visually or hearing impaired.
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Step 5
If your radio is programmed for "Specific Area Message Encoding" (SAME), use it. It will block unnecessary messages sent to a broad area. For example, if you don't set the SAME program, you could receive an alert based hundreds of miles away from you if it's in the same state as you are.
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Step 6
Take your NOAA weather radio with you, if you are leaving home or evacuating. Your NOAA weather radio will keep you up to date and aware of changing weather conditions.
