This weekend’s storms have drawn attention to the quick nature of tornadoes and the importance of having multiple ways to get severe weather warnings.

What people shouldn’t do, according to the National Weather Service, is rely only on outdoor weather sirens.

The hundreds of weather sirens around Alabama are designed to alert people who are outdoors to the potential of danger. They are not designed to be heard indoors or wake you from sleep and, because of the quick spin-up nature of tornadoes, sirens alone may not provide you enough time to seek shelter.

Blaring sirens, the National Weather Service said “means that something life-threatening is happening and you should go indoors to get more information.

“Sirens are an outdoor warning system designed only to alert those who are outside that something dangerous is approaching.”

Specific guidelines for sounding sirens vary by jurisdiction, NWS said, and can include tornadoes, wind, hail or severe thunderstorms.

If you are outdoors when you hear a siren, you should go inside and tune to local media or weather sources for information. If you are inside, you should tune to local media, go online for information or use a NOAA Weather Radio.

Common sense also plays a part, NWS said, especially if a watch or warning has been issued.

“The safest approach is to be proactive and use all of the information available to protect yourself and your family from threatening weather. Nothing can replace common sense. If a storm is approaching, the lightning alone is a threat. Sirens are only one part of a warning system that includes preparation, NOAA Weather Radio, and local media.,” NWS said.