Safety Tips

These quick, reliable tips may help prevent emergencies at home, on the road, and in your community. The goal is to give residents the tools to stay informed, stay prepared, and stay safe every day.

Weather Safety

Weather Alerts

Watch vs. Warning vs. Advisory

Know the difference. Take the right action.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issues alerts to help keep the public safe. Knowing the difference between a Watch, Warning, and Advisory can help you respond appropriately when hazardous weather threatens.

At-a-Glance Summary

Alert type	What it means	What to do
Watch	Conditions are favorable	Be prepared and stay alert
Warning	Weather is happening or imminent	Take immediate action
Advisory	Weather may cause disruption	Use caution and stay informed

WATCH = Be Prepared

A Watch means conditions are favorable for dangerous weather. It doesn’t mean it’s happening, but it could. It’s your cue to review plans, monitor conditions, and be ready to act.

What to do during a WATCH

Stay informed through local alerts, the NWS, and trusted news sources
Review your emergency plans
Be ready to take action if a warning is issued

Examples of Watches

Tornado Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Flash Flood Watch
Winter Storm Watch
High Wind Watch
Excessive Heat Watch
Red Flag Watch (for fire weather conditions)

WARNING = Take Action

A Warning means dangerous weather is occurring or imminent, and it poses a serious threat to life or property. Warnings are urgent, take immediate protective action.

What to do during a WARNING

Follow emergency instructions or take shelter
Avoid travel unless absolutely necessary
Monitor real-time updates from trusted sources

Examples of Warnings

Tornado Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Flash Flood Warning
Winter Storm Warning
Blizzard Warning
Ice Storm Warning
Excessive Heat Warning
Wind Chill Warning
Red Flag Warning

ADVISORY = Be Aware

An Advisory means weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconvenience and could still be dangerous if you’re unprepared.

Examples of Advisories

Wind Advisory
Winter Weather Advisory
Heat Advisory
Flood Advisory
Freezing Rain Advisory

Stay Informed

Turn on Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on your mobile device
Follow Allegheny County Emergency Services on social media
Use weather apps or a NOAA Weather Radio
Sign up for local emergency notifications

Severe Weather

Severe weather can strike suddenly and cause significant danger to life and property. Being prepared and knowing how to respond is critical for your safety. Follow these general tips for all types of severe weather.

Before Severe Weather

Stay informed - Monitor local weather forecasts and alerts via trusted sources or community warning systems.
Have an emergency plan - Know where to take shelter in your home, workplace, or school. Share this plan with family members.
Prepare an emergency kit - Include water, non-perishable food, flashlight, batteries, first aid supplies, medications, important documents, and supplies for pets.
Secure outdoor items - Bring in or tie down anything that could blow away or become a projectile in high winds.

During Severe Weather

Take shelter immediately - Move to an interior room on the lowest floor away from windows. For tornadoes, a basement or storm shelter is best.
Avoid travel unless absolutely necessary. Roads can be dangerous and emergency responders may need clear access.
Stay away from electrical equipment and plumbing during thunderstorms to avoid lightning injuries.
Do not touch downed power lines and report them to authorities.

After Severe Weather

Wait for official “all clear” before leaving shelter.
Check for injuries and provide first aid if trained. Call emergency services if needed.
Inspect your property for hazards such as gas leaks, downed wires, or structural damage.
Avoid floodwaters - just six inches of moving water can knock you down.

Additional Tips

Keep your cell phone charged and have a portable charger available.
Follow local officials’ instructions and evacuation orders promptly.
Stay connected with neighbors and community resources.

Flood Safety

Flooding can happen quickly and with little warning. Stay safe by following these important tips before, during, and after a flood event.

Before and During a Flood

Heed instructions from local officials - If told to evacuate or seek higher ground, do so immediately.
Charge your devices - Keep phones and batteries fully charged in case of power outages.
Monitor weather forecasts - Stay updated through trusted sources.
Avoid travel during flash flood warnings - Conditions can change rapidly and become dangerous.
Never willingly enter floodwaters - Even shallow water can be fast-moving and deadly.
Do not seek higher ground in an attic without a means of escape, like a window or roof access.

If You Must Travel or are Already on the Road

Turn Around, Don’t Drown - Never drive into standing or moving floodwater.
Do not drive around safety barriers - They're there to protect you.
Be extra cautious at night - Flooded roads are hard to see in the dark.
Keep your vehicle fueled - Always have emergency supplies in your car.
Avoid bridges over rushing water - They can wash out with little warning.
If trapped in rising water - Stay with your vehicle. Climb onto the roof if necessary and call for help.

Hot Weather & Heat Safety

Heat Safety Reminders

Extreme heat can affect your health quickly, so it’s important to take precautions to stay safe and comfortable during hot weather. Follow these tips to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Stay Cool

Find air conditioning if possible - Spend time in air-conditioned places such as homes, community centers, or cooling shelters.
Avoid strenuous activities - Limit outdoor exercise or heavy work during the hottest parts of the day.
Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing - This helps your body stay cooler by reflecting heat and allowing sweat to evaporate.

Stay Hydrated

Drink plenty of fluids - Water is best to keep your body hydrated.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can cause dehydration.

Watch for Heat-Related Illness

Know the signs of heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke - These include muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, nausea, and confusion. Seek medical help immediately if symptoms worsen.

Look Out for Others

Check on family members and neighbors, especially those who are elderly, very young, or have health conditions that make them more vulnerable to heat.
Never leave people or pets in a closed vehicle - Temperatures inside can rise rapidly to dangerous levels.

Winter Weather Preparedness

As temperatures drop, it’s important to prepare for the challenges winter weather can bring. Snow, ice, freezing rain, and high winds increase the risk of accidents, hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning, and overexertion-related injuries. Being ready before, during, and after a storm can protect you and your family. Being prepared can make all the difference in staying safe and comfortable during winter’s worst conditions.

Before a Winter Storm

Stay informed by listening to local officials and monitoring weather forecasts.
Prepare your home: insulate walls and pipes, and test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backups.
Build an emergency supply kit for your home including medications, food, water, and supplies for pets.
Winterize your car: keep a full gas tank, check battery and antifreeze levels, and pack an emergency kit with jumper cables, sand or kitty litter, flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, bottled water, and non-perishable snacks.
Know frostbite and hypothermia symptoms and how to respond.

During a Winter Storm

Stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.
Use heating devices safely - operate generators and grills outdoors away from windows; never use gas stoves or ovens for heat.
Have working carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
Check on neighbors through phone or other safe communication methods, especially those most vulnerable.

After a Winter Storm

Follow official updates on road conditions and safety.
Report hazards such as downed power lines promptly.
Take care when moving around on icy or snowy surfaces.

Additional Tips

Sign up for community weather alerts to get timely warnings.
Know your winter weather terms to better understand forecasts.
Prepare for possible extended power outages or service interruptions.

Fire Safety

Fires can happen unexpectedly and spread quickly. Knowing how to prevent fires and what to do if one occurs can save lives and property. Follow these important safety tips:

Preventing Fires

Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas. Test them monthly and replace batteries yearly.
Keep flammable materials away from heat sources like stoves, heaters, and candles.
Never leave cooking unattended - stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling, or broiling.
Use space heaters safely - keep them at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn. Turn them off when leaving the room or going to sleep.
Store matches and lighters out of children’s reach.

If a Fire Occurs

Get out and stay out - evacuate immediately and do not go back inside for any reason.
Have an escape plan - practice it with your family regularly and designate a safe meeting place outside.
If smoke is present, stay low - crawl under smoke to breathe cleaner air.
If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop, and roll - cover your face with your hands and roll on the ground until flames are out.
Call 911 once you are safely outside.

Additional Safety Tips

Keep fire extinguishers handy and know how to use them.
- Remember P.A.S.S. - Pull the pin, aim at the base of the fire, squeeze the handle, and sweep the nozzle from side to side.
Avoid overloading electrical outlets and replace damaged cords.
Have your heating system inspected yearly by a professional

Open Burning Safety & Regulations

Open burning can pose serious risks to public health and safety, including wildfires, brushfires, and poor air quality. It’s important to understand when burning is permitted - and when it’s not - to protect your community and the environment.

Before You Burn

Open burning in Allegheny County is regulated by the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD). A permit may be required depending on the type and purpose of your burn. · Review ACHD’s open burning permit process before starting any fire - visit Open Burning – Allegheny County for details.
Local municipal ordinances may further restrict or completely prohibit open burning, even if county regulations allow it. Always check local rules before burning.

Safe Burning Practices

Never burn household garbage, plastics, or treated wood - these can release harmful pollutants.
Keep fires small, controlled, and attended at all times.
Avoid burning on windy or dry days when embers can easily spread.
Keep a water source or fire extinguisher nearby in case flames spread unexpectedly.

Preventing Wildfires and Brushfires

Clear the area around your burn site of leaves, twigs, and other flammable materials.
Do not burn near wooded areas, structures, or utility lines.

Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Safety

Hazardous materials incidents can occur during transportation, at industrial sites, or in homes. These incidents pose risks to your health and safety. Knowing how to respond can protect you and your community.

Recognizing a HazMat Incident

Be alert for unusual odors, smoke, or chemical spills.
Watch for signs such as coughing, difficulty breathing, or burning eyes.
Stay away from the area if you see any suspicious containers, leaks, or spills.

If You Encounter a HazMat Situation

Do not approach or touch the spilled material.
Evacuate the area immediately - move upwind and uphill if possible.
Avoid contact with your skin or eyes.
Call 911 or your local emergency number to report the incident.

During a HazMat Emergency

Follow instructions from emergency responders and local officials.
Shelter in place only if advised - close windows, doors, and turn off ventilation systems.
Avoid inhaling fumes or smoke.

Preparing for HazMat Emergencies

Know the emergency plans for your workplace and community.
Have an emergency kit with food, water, and medical supplies ready.
Learn evacuation routes and shelter locations.

Power Outage Preparation

Power outages can happen unexpectedly and last for hours or days. Being prepared can help keep you and your family safe and comfortable during an outage. Follow these important tips:

Protect Your Food

Keep freezers and refrigerators closed as much as possible to maintain cold temperatures and prevent food spoilage.

Use Equipment Safely

Only use generators outdoors and away from windows to prevent dangerous carbon monoxide buildup inside your home.
Never use a gas stove or oven to heat your home - this is a serious fire and carbon monoxide hazard.

Protect Your Electronics

Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges when power is restored.

Plan for Medical Needs

Have alternate plans for refrigerating medicines or powering medical devices that require electricity.

Find Safe Comfort

If it’s safe to do so, consider going to an alternate location with heat or air conditioning during extreme temperatures.