Alabama: Watch Out If You Hear These Codes While Holiday Shopping

The holiday shopping season is in full swing in West Alabama!

I do a lot of my shopping at the Walmart in Northport. So, it's not unusual to hear announcements over the intercom. But, while shopping one day, I heard something that didn’t make sense to me.

Get our free mobile app

Over the intercom, someone said "Code 30." I've worked in retail on more than one occasion, and I had no idea what a Code 30 was.

Walmart employees use certain codes to communicate a situation without alarming the public. Here is what those codes are telling other Walmart employees, according to Commoncentsmom.com

Four types of codes are used in Walmart. The first one is a general code which is used for spills, sales and other general business such as when security is watching an area. The second code is an emergency code, which is meant to alert other employees of the situation without causing panic from the customers.

Customer service codes are also used to communicate customer needs such as needing help from an associate in a particular department. There are also codes to alert employees about a sale that is going on as well.

The codes we are going to focus on are the ones that communicate an emergency. If you hear some of these codes, you may need to exit the store or find a safe place until the situation is over.

The Color Codes

• Code White means an accident, injury or another type of incident has happened within the store.

• Code Red means there is a fire somewhere in the store and, usually, numbers will follow the color which gives the location of the fire.

• Code Orange means there is a chemical spill somewhere in the store, numbers follow the color to give the location of the spill and if it's inside or outside of the store.

• Code Black means there is severe weather in the area.

• Code Brown means there is an active shooter in or around the store. If possible, exit the store. If you can’t exit, make sure you follow the employee’s instructions and call 911.

• Code Green means there is an active hostage situation in the store and it's very important to remain calm.

• Code Blue means a bomb threat has been made against the store.

A few other codes you are likely to hear are 'Spark,' which means a register is overwhelmed and more help is needed, and 'Adam' which means a child has been reported missing, and a brief description can be given of the child over the intercom.

We all love the holiday shopping season, but please always stay aware. If you hear any of these codes while shopping at Walmart, take the appropriate action.