Ohioans are urged to participate in a statewide tornado drill Wednesday at 9:50 a.m. to practice emergency sheltering plans, the Ohio Emergency Management Agency said.

The drill, scheduled for March 19, will allow counties to test their outdoor warning sirens and mass notification systems. Schools, households and businesses are also encouraged to practice tornado drills and review emergency plans.

The agency released a list of frequently asked questions about outdoor warning sirens to help residents understand their purpose and proper response.

"Sirens are an outdoor warning system designed only to alert those who are outside that something dangerous is approaching," the agency said. "When the sirens are heard, go inside and tune to local media to get more information."

The agency emphasized that sirens are not intended to be heard indoors and recommended that every home and business have a NOAA Weather Radio All-Hazards for indoor alerts.

"NOAA Weather Radio is like a smoke detector for severe weather, and it can wake you up when a warning is issued for your area so you can take appropriate action," the agency said.

Local communities determine when sirens are tested and the specific conditions that trigger their activation, which can include tornadoes, hail and high winds.

The agency noted that sirens do not typically sound an "all-clear" signal, and residents should rely on local media for updates.

"People should be indoors and monitoring local media for updates on the storm," the agency said.

The agency also stressed that sirens are only one component of a comprehensive warning system.

"The safest approach is to be proactive and use all of the information available to protect yourself and your family from threatening weather," the agency said. "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."

 City or county officials, typically police or fire departments or emergency management personnel, activate the sirens.

The agency said that while the National Weather Service does not provide national guidelines for sounding sirens, local offices may partner with emergency managers to develop recommendations.