Emergency sirens are being tested today in Montreal in six locations in industrial neighbourhoods.

The sirens are scheduled to begin blowing at 1:56 p.m. and continue for several minutes.

Industries that use dangerous materials are required to have sirens installed to warn the public of danger, especially when due to toxic clouds that could be caused by a chemical spill.

The companies testing their alarms are:

  • Cepsa at 10200 Sherbrooke St. E.
  • Suncor (formerly Chemtrade) at 11450 Cherrier St.
  • Atlantic Fisheries (Division Metro Richelieu) at 9200 Dubuisson Ave.
  • Molson Coors at 1550 Notre-Dame Blvd. E.
  • Labatt Brewery at 50 Labatt St.
  • Merit Beef (Boeuf Merité), (Division Metro Richelieu), at 11701 Albert Hudon Blvd.

In the event of an emergency people in the area who hear sirens should:

  • immediately take shelter in the nearest building
  • close all windows and doors, and turn off ventilation systems
  • turn on a radio to a station that will carry emergency notices
  • avoid using telephones so as not to overload lines
  • leave children at school in order to minimize exposure to toxic substances