Using Your Cellphone During an Emergency: What You Should Know
Today’s technology allows us to feel almost invincible at times, but when problems arise, we’re left feeling oddly vulnerable – especially when natural disasters threaten or when other crises loom. Now that Hurricane Irene, an unstoppable force of nature, has arrived, and since both the state of Colorado the East Coast experienced unusual earthquakes this past week, people are wondering what might be next. In truth, it’s always good to be prepared for an emergency. Here’s some valuable information that may just help you next time you need to use your cellphone during a hairy situation.
Immediate Emergencies
Most people have a pretty good idea about what constitutes an emergency. If there is an immediate threat to life, health, or property, and you’re in imminent danger, then you may need to call emergency services. Be ready to give the operator pertinent information. Do not simply ramble on. Emergency workers need specific information, and you will have a chance to tell your story. Do what you can to stay calm, and you’ll find that the entire experience goes more smoothly in most cases.
Don’t be surprised if you end up having to wait on hold for a while for your call to get through. The odds are very good that if a major incident is occurring, then the emergency call center system could be overloaded. The people answering emergency calls are busy, and they are probably taking one call after another. They’re doing all they can to help!
Last but not least, it’s important to remember that even though technology has come a long way, it’s always good to be cognizant of your location. Whether you’re at home, at a friend’s house, or traveling on a lonesome country road, it is beyond important to know where you are. If you don’t know, and you have an emergency, it could take emergency crews much longer than normal to find you and come to your assistance.
Major Disasters
You can bet that the moment a major disaster occurs, authorities will be on top of the situation. Use your best judgment about how to use your phone in the case of disaster. Refrain from calling friends and family if possible. Cellular carriers agree that it’s more effective to send text messages or shoot a quick email instead. This is because these bits of information take up a lot less space on the bandwidth than voice calls do.
Be Prepared For Hurricanes and Other Events
No matter where you live, it is a good idea to have some basic supplies assembled in the event a natural disaster strikes, and it is also a good idea to replenish those supplies periodically so that they don’t end up being out of date when you need them. One very important thing to check off your list is batteries – and not just the ones you need for your flashlight and radio. Keep spare batteries for your laptop, cellphone, smartphone, tablet, or whatever devices you rely on in your arsenal of emergency equipment, and you won’t have to worry quite so much about what you’ll do to stay connected in the event of an emergency.
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- Cell Phones Used By Researchers to Track Disasters
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Tags: cell phone emergency, cell phones disasters, disaster preparedness, emergency supplies, hurricane irene