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Read. Understand. Apply.
The Warn Room blogs apply 70 years of research to the practice of alerts and warnings. We show how evidence-based changes to message content, style, and structure can create more effective warnings.
Closing the warning communication loop in a geo-targeted area
Summer fun at a state fair can get dangerous quickly when bad weather enters the area. In today's example, we see a series of messages; one issued to prevent injury and the second to return fair-goers to their fun at the midway. In early September, the Evergreen State Fair issued a geo-targeted warning to persons within the fairgrounds, alerting them to "go indoors now" and to "SHELTER IN PLACE until further notice." Lightning had been detected within 10 miles of the fairgr
Jeannette Sutton
Sep 14
Tips to write an "All Clear" message that includes Plain Language
All clear messages are an important part of the communication lifecycle for alerts and warnings. When an alert is issued, it opens up a "conversation" by telling people about a hazard, its impacts, the location of the impact, and what people should do to protect themselves. Ideally, if a person is at risk, they will engage in protective action and remain safe until they are instructed to do otherwise. This can come as an additional notification as the event is ongoing, or
Jeannette Sutton
Sep 8
YELLOW EVACUATION WARNING (that's a new one!)
Wildfire alerts use jargon filled language. Use plain language to reach more people and communicate more effectively.
Jeannette Sutton
Aug 21
'Set' Status means what?
I have a question for alerting authorities. This includes every person or organization that is responsible for communicating with the people in their community when things start to go bad. Here's my question: are you absolutely certain that the people who receive your messages know exactly what you mean when you say something like 'Set' Status for evacuation? What level of confidence do you have that you've adequately prepared your community to understand that there are t
Jeannette Sutton
Aug 13
Self-reflections on testifying before congress
This post is a bit different from the rest; Here I share my personal reflections on the invitation to speak to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Communication and Technology on December 16, 2025. Jeannette Sutton, PhD, preparing to respond to a comment from a house committee member. THE LEAD UP Early in the week, I received an email from a staffer for the Subcommittee, asking if I would share my thoughts on some of the bills they would be discussin
Jeannette Sutton
Dec 22, 2025
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