INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ State officials are encouraging Indiana residents to use social media to get safety alerts from the National Terrorism Advisory System.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security says social media and smartphone users can sign up for the federal alerts by following the state agency on Twitter and Facebook. 

State officials say they will send out general information bulletins, as well as specific alerts when there is an elevated or imminent threat of a terror attack in the U.S.

The agency also encourages residents to report suspicious activity to local law enforcement authorities.