No matter where you live in the U.S., stormy weather can be a major threat to public safety. It’s important to be prepared for the impact and aftermath of a storm before one hits your area. We want to remind you of some basic precautions you should take to make sure you’re prepared in the event you get hit with bad weather and communications become even more important.
Before the Storm
- Make sure your wireless device is charged at all times.
- Watch for emergency weather alerts on your smartphone or wireless device.
- Have a plan in place to recharge your device’s battery if the power goes out for an extended period of time.
- Keep a car charger in your vehicle.
- Store extra cellphone batteries in a place that’s easy to remember.
- Make sure your family has a plan in place to communicate in an emergency.
- If you can, pick someone who lives out of your area as a point of contact.
- Let everyone in your family know who they should contact if they get separated.
- Program all of your emergency contact phone numbers and email address into your wireless device so that they are easy to access (including the police, fire department, local hospital and family members).
- Practice your plan in advance.
During and After the Storm
- Check your phone for weather-related information and warnings in case of a power outage.
- Understand there will be high call volume since many people will be trying to use their phones at the same time. If you aren’t able to make a call, hang up, wait several seconds and then try again (this lets your original call data clear the network before you try again).
- Avoid making non-emergency calls, if possible. In the case of severe weather, there will likely be many people trying to make calls at once, and the important ones need to make it through.
- Try sending a text message instead of making a voice call. A text requires fewer network resources, so it may be more effective to get a text through a heavily congested network.
- Make sure to record (via camera or video) any damage done to your property right away so that you can send it to your insurance company.
Your wireless device can be a lifesaving tool for you and your family in dangerous situations. By preparing in advance, you’ll be much better equipped to weather any storm.