Many people, even those who consider themselves survivalists and ready for anything the world could throw at them, don’t realize the importance of a #weatherradio. They feel that any type of radio is adequate enough to stay informed during a disaster. However, an actual weather radio is a bit different, and it could actually save your life.

Don’t get any old radio or a weather radio and then just toss it in a drawer. Use it. I can’t begin to count how many thousands of people I’ve helped over the years and asked them where their weather radio was when the storm hit. It’s always the same answer, “It kept waking me up about storms, and so I pulled the batteries out and threw it in a drawer.” It can’t save your life in a drawer when a tornado is headed your way.

What Is It?

An NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) weather radio will broadcast information from the National Weather service and offers this information 24 hours a day. It can provide weather alerts, forecasts, warnings and watches for inclement weather that could be dangerous for your area. Severe weather of any type, from thunderstorms to blizzards and hurricanes, mean serious business. The more time you have to prepare for the storms the better off you will be. Since these devices can warn you around the clock, there is no need to worry that you won’t have time to prepare.

Using these radios rather than relying on a governmental structure to provide warnings is essential. You can program the radios so they can provide information specific to your area and county. The radio has different alert sounds for various types of situations, and they are able to receive NOAA weather broadcasts. Your typical radio cannot do this.

Why Do You Need NOAA Broadcasts?

They will give you the weather information you need rather than generalized information. Forecasters will be able to break in to broadcasts and provide you with up-to-date information. If there is little time before the disaster strikes, it will warn you with an alarm so you can take action.

A Weather Radio Is for Everyone

While you will certainly want to have at least one of these radios at your home, consider where else they might be useful. Having weather radios at businesses, schools, churches and nearly everywhere else would be a good idea. They can give people the advanced warnings to step up their preparations. If you’re ever at a loss at what to give friends and family for gifts, these can be a great option. They will provide owners with peace of mind and is a life-saving gift.

Vital for Weather Emergencies of All Types

Having a weather radio is vital for emergency preparedness, and it should be one of the first things to buy for your survival needs. You can’t take for granted that you’ll have warning of a storm through traditional channels. You need the weather radio so you know when things are getting back to normal too. When buying one, consider choosing the hand crank-operated radio to provide the necessary power for it to run since you might not be able to rely on electricity in bad weather.  You may want to buy additional ones for different areas of the home, and even put one in the car.

Most of the top models are well under $100 – a small price to pay when you consider it has the potential to help save the lives of you and your loved ones.