When we have a cell phone, we can do all kinds of things with it including looking up dinner recipes for the Saturday gathering or finding out what the weather is going to be like in Jonesboro. However, there are very few of us who take the time to adequately prepare our phones in case we have an emergency. Our cell phones are attached to us in some kind of way and we can be in constant contact with the people we love or other people who need to call us in cases of emergencies. Here are two ways to prepare your used or refurbished cell phones in case you and your family have an emergency.
Add Safety Contacts to Your Contact List
During an emergency situation, most people dial 911. However, 911 is not the only number that you may need to call during an emergency. Take the time to enter all emergency contact numbers into your phone as well as relatives and family friends that you may not speak to on a regular basis and who’s numbers you may not remember off the top of your head.
For example, if you live on a college campus or work in a large office building, there is most likely a security department at your disposal. In the event of an emergency, who would respond to your distress call first, the local police and fire department or the security guards that are already on the premises? Make sure you program the contact number for the security office into your phone and call them if you are in need of immediate assistance. You can either call 911 yourself after contacting them, or the security office will most likely do that themselves if additional help is needed.
Don’t forget that there are other numbers you need to include such as your pet’s veterinarian, the mechanic shop for your car or if your state has one… the emergency roadside assistance number.
Emergency Text Message
During an emergency, there is often enough time to write and send text messages. But a weak signal or an inability to speak may restrict your ability to place a call. Instead of trying to compose a text message during an emergency situation, pre-write drafted text messages and save them to your phone. You can pull up the messages and send them when the need arises. When drafting messages, think of what you would need to say during different scenarios.
For new or used Samsung cell phone owners, pre-programming text messages could be especially helpful. Later models now have an emergency feature where you can program your phone to automatically send out a pre-written text message to up to ten contacts when you press the volume button four times. When a contact from that list calls you back, your phone will automatically connect without having to press a button. Hopefully, all cell phone manufacturers will implement their own version of this emergency feature.
When we are in an emergency situation, our minds are already preoccupied about a potential outcome. For that reason, any little thing that can be done before the emergency is most helpful. It reduces your distractions and enables you to deal with the emergency you are facing. By taking the above pre-emptive steps, you’ll make a big difference during a crisis situation.