Threat Security Level Homeland Means Risk Americans Advisory

The United States Department of Homeland Security is a part of the U.S. government that was created to protect Americans. It has made an "advisory system" (a way to warn people about dangers) for the country. The advisory system is "color-coded," meaning that each "threat level" (the strength of the warning) has a different color. There are five colors in the advisory system.

The lowest threat level is green, which means low risk. Homeland Security recommends that Americans have a family "emergency plan" (an idea of what a family will do if there is danger), but when the advisory system is green, there are no "pressing" (important) threats.

The next threat level is blue, which means "guarded" (moderate; medium) risk. When the advisory system is blue, Homeland Security recommends that Americans get their "disaster supplies" (the things that one will need if there is danger) ready and report any "suspicious behavior" (actions that seem wrong or dangerous).

The yellow threat level means "elevated" (higher) risk. At this level, Homeland Security wants Americans to begin using different "routes" (ways of going somewhere) to go between home, school, and work. That way, if one route is closed they can still get home.

An orange threat level means high risk. Homeland Security wants Americans to be extremely careful when there is an orange threat level. At this threat level, there may be more "delays" (things taking longer than they should) at airports and train stations because security is higher.

Finally, the last threat level is red, which means "severe" (extremely strong) risk. This threat level is used when there is a very dangerous problem. Americans are supposed to watch TV and listen to the radio for instructions and be ready to "evacuate" (leave) their homes if necessary.