Siren (noisemaker) facts for kids
A siren is a device that is able to produce a loud noise. Sirens can be found on emergency vehicles, like ambulances. They are also installed on buildings, to warn of tornadoes, or air raids.
Types of Sirens
Emergency Vehicles
Vehicles used by firefighters (fire truck), police officers (police car) and paramedics/emergency medical technicians (ambulance) are often fitted a siren to warn people that the vehicle is coming and to make a clear path, usually by pulling over. These vehicles often may break some traffic laws when traveling to an emergency. If other vehicles do not stop and make a path, an accident could happen.
Air raid sirens
In World War II, many nations installed air raid sirens in cities to warn when enemy planes were coming to attack with bombs. After the war ended these sirens were kept ready to sound, in case a new war started, due to the tense relationship between the United States and Soviet Union (USSR) (Now Russia) that existed from 1947–1991. As weapons have gotten faster, quieter and harder to spot, the ability to provide warning before a bomb or missile falls has become difficult. A number of countries, including the United States, now use their sirens to warn of severe weather, such as tornadoes, tsunamis; emergencies at dams, chemical plants and nuclear power stations.
Images for kids
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Electronic Sirens Pavian by Telegrafia
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A HSS Engineering TWS 295 electronic sirens warning Civil Defense siren.
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There are 8,200 alarm sirens for civil protection throughout Switzerland. They are tested once a year, on the first Wednesday in February.
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An 1860s-era siren.
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The electrically powered cylinder siren used to alert the town of Lowestoft during World War Two.
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A motor siren (a German E57)
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HLS electronic siren
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Whelen electronic siren (WPS-2750) in Milpitas, CA
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Warning siren and emergency lights mounted on a fire truck
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See also
In Spanish: Sirena (instrumento acústico) para niños
