In an emergency, whether it's caused by an act of nature or humanity, time is of the essence when it comes to saving lives. Quickly taking shelter in an appropriate structure, evacuating the area, or knowing what to do in a civil emergency increase the odds of survival many times over. For most of us, we can see or hear the warnings broadcast over TV or radio as well as the emergency sirens, but people living with vision or hearing impairments may have a harder time with weather awareness, especially when warnings occur during nighttime hours when one is usually asleep.   

Rehabmart carries equipment to alert people with compromised sight or hearing to potential weather dangers. Through the use of strobe lights, bed shakers, and loud audible alarms, the user receives ample warning of the impending storms or other potential disasters and can move to a safer part of the house quickly. Here are two great examples.

   

In addition to an AM/FM clock radio, the Weather and Emergency System Alarm Kit 2 features a WRR-300 Weather Monitor System that provides three channels of continuous monitoring of the NOAA emergency broadcast system.  Color coded lights and a 90 dB alarm tone notify the user that severe weather is on the way, and the optional strobe light and bedshaker ensure that a soundly sleeping deaf person will be awakened. It also has a time-condition signal to prevent false alarms. The Alarm Kit has AA battery back up as a standard feature and monitors for other potential disaster alerts such as marine warnings, civil defense issues, and situations where evacuations are necessary. It can be used on its own or linked to other warning devices with the help of a router and is suitable for use in dorms, hotels, or residential facilities as well as private homes. 

   

Like the Alarm Kit 2, the Krown Severe Weather and Alarm Alert System can be used to link all the warning devices in a residence or a building within a 100 foot radius. It comes with a 95 dB alarm that can be used alone or in conjunction with its strobe light, displays up to three alarm channels, and comes with a bedshaker to be sure that hearing impaired people don't miss an announcement while sleeping. It comes with an alarm monitor; emergency weather radio; bedshaker receiver; a transmitter; a rechargeable and an alkaline battery, both 9V; and an AC adaptor so it will keep working in the event of a power outage. A carrying case allows it to be taken on trips, and it has FCC and CSA approval. The Alarm Alert System is a good choice for residences of any type, whether private homes or long-term care facilities.

With the incidence of severe storms on the rise, safety through weather awareness has grown more important than ever. Thanks to alarm systems such as these, it's easier than ever for people with different abilities to stay safe when the weather grows unpredictable.

Fran Jablway,

Medical Consumer Writer

and

Hulet Smith, OT

Rehabmart Team Leader & CEO