Our fourth preparedness challenge for February is to add emergency cell phone apps and buy a solar cell phone charger. Whether it’s an everyday disaster or a major disaster, we need emergency answers quickly, so add emergency apps to your smartphone. I keep these apps in a folder on my cell phone so I can quickly find them. Also buy a solar cell phone charger in case you are without power.
Add Emergency Cell Phone Apps
These are my favorites apps:
FEMA
This app will give you real-time weather alerts and emergency safety tips for disasters, including earthquakes, fires, hurricanes, tornadoes. It has instructions on building an emergency kit, will help you find out disaster risks based on your zip code, and help you locate disaster shelters in your area.
American Red Cross
Learn how to give first aid for bleeding, choking, a concussion, a diabetic emergency, a heart attack, a heat stroke, etc., order emergency supplies, and register for an online emergency course. Download this important app!
PulsePoint Respond
If you’ve been trained in CPR, as a citizen you can assist someone near your current location who is having a cardiac emergency. You could be closer than first responders and assist in saving someone’s life.
SAFEUT
This Utah app “provides real-time crisis intervention to youth through texting and a confidential tip program right from your smartphone.” If you or someone you know needs someone to talk to, counselors are available to chat. Your state may have something similar.
Buy a Solar Cell Phone Charger
- During a disaster you need to communicate, however the longer you use your phone, the quicker the battery will drain. Be prepared with a fully charged solar cell phone charger. They really do work!
- A few years ago, several members of my church congregation purchased the Max 2-in-1 from LuminAid for a group discount. This collapsible cell phone charger is great because it’s waterproof and provides a nice, bright light as well. LuminAid has periodic website sales and may be purchased from Amazon or REI.
Additional Emergency Equipment
Here are a few other emergency items you may want to look into.
- AM/FM radio, solar or crank. Don’t count on your cell phone always working during a disaster. You will want emergency news. Keep this in an adult backpack.
- Two-way radio such as a Baofeng or a Ham radio.
I hope you add emergency cell phone apps and buy a solar cell phone charger,
Best wishes and look for the good!
Valerie Albrechtsen
The Food Storage Organizer
Purchase my food storage and emergency preparedness items in my Etsy shop.
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