Tsunami test this Sunday
Check your smoke alarms and don’t freak when the tsunami sirens go off on Sunday.
It’s that time of year again; daylight savings starts on September 25.
Clocks should also be put an hour forward before you go to sleep on Saturday night. Computers and most cellphones will adjust automatically, if set to the correct time zone.
Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency Management’s Aaron Davis says the public doesn’t need to do anything when the tsunami test sequence of three sets of tones blasts out on Sunday at midday.
Each set signals a specific action and will last for a minute each, with a gap of 15 seconds between each set.
In a real emergency the tones will sound for longer.
‘‘It’s important to regularly test the sirens to make sure they are working,’’ he says.
‘‘There is no cause for alarm when the sirens are tested and the public aren’t required to do anything,’’ Davis says.
‘‘But they will give residents the opportunity to find out what the sirens sound like.’’
Tsunami sirens are located in Rodney at Point Wells, Whangateau, Omaha and Waiwera.
Davis says it is also a good time for people to have an emergency plan in place.
For more information about getting public alerts and to hear the siren patterns visit the Civil Defence page on Auckland Council’s website.
‘‘People can also subscribe to SMS text messaging or email alerts, the Red Cross Hazard smartphone app or engage with us via Twitter and Facebook,’’ he says.
The three tsunami alert tones are:
(dash–dash–dot–dot) sounds for 15 minutes and indicates a threat of tsunami. Evacuate beaches, prepare for full evacuation and monitor the radio or television.
(dot–dot–dot) continuous bursts for 15 minutes indicates immediate evacuation to the nearest safe high ground and to avoid using personal transport unless essential.
(continuous tone) sounds for 5 minutes indicate threat has passed. Return to premises if they have not been affected and follow directions of the emergency services if your area has been affected.