Those who aren’t sure what to do when bad weather strikes may want to pay attention to activities planned this week.

Monday kicks off Severe Weather Awareness Week in Georgia. As a result, public safety officials are encouraging Forsyth County residents to focus on severe weather threats and learn how to prepare for them.

“It is critical that every household not only assemble and maintain a disaster supply kit, but also prepare and have in place an emergency plan,” said Danny Bowman, Forsyth County’s emergency management agency director and fire chief.

“I encourage all households to develop a plan. It will no doubt prove invaluable in an emergency situation.”

Those developing an emergency plan should consider including strategies for contacting one another and reconnecting if separated.

Other topics to cover include establishing a family meeting place that is familiar and easy to find, as well as addressing the needs of pets, older loved ones and family members with special needs.

As part of the week’s activities, Forsyth will participate Wednesday in a statewide tornado drill.

EMA Coordinator Lorraine Morris said residents should keep in mind that it’s just a drill and that the county’s 12 outdoor severe weather sirens will sound an audible test tone.

If there is actual severe weather that day, the drill will be postponed until Friday.

The sirens are located countywide and designed to notify people who are outdoors of severe weather. They are activated in the event of a tornado warning.

The local EMA encourages residents to sign up for weather alert notices, which will notify them of severe thunderstorm, flash flood and tornado warnings.

Residents can be notified by phone, e-mail or text message. To sign up, go online at www.forsythco.com.