Today, our phones are rarely outside of our reach. This makes them one of the best tools we have for quickly responding to emergencies and increasing the chances of a more positive outcome.
A National Institutes of Health study reports that individuals who used a mobile phone to call for emergency services during a crisis significantly reduced risk of death at the scene of the incident.
But how prepared is your phone to handle a potential emergency?
Here we’ll go over the best ways to set up your phone so it’s ready to assist even in the toughest situations.
Stay charged
A phone can only help you if it has power, so keeping your phone charged is a critical factor in emergency preparedness.
Charge your phone overnight with smart charging features enabled, which helps ensure long-term battery health, and start each day with plenty of power. Take your readiness to the next level by always carrying an extra charger in your bag or vehicle. You may even want to spring for a portable charger, so you have a backup in case you find yourself somewhere with no outlets handy.
Enable emergency SOS features
Most phones have SOS features to help you quickly contact emergency services, share your location, and provide others with your medical information. Find out what SOS features your phone has and set them up so your phone can be helpful even if you’re incapacitated.
Some common SOS features include:
Lock screen messages.
If you’re injured and unable to provide vital information about yourself, a lock screen message can help others access just enough details to get you the help you need.
“In Case of Emergency” messages on your lock screen should include an emergency contact and any medical information that may be relevant, like allergies or conditions.
On an iPhone, you can set up a lock screen message by adding a Medical ID in the Health app (be sure to select “Show When Locked”). On Androids, this feature can be found in the “Safety & Emergency” section of your Settings: navigate to “Medical Info” or “Emergency Contacts,” and don’t forget to enable “Show When Locked.”
Emergency calls.
Both Androids and iPhones have functions to quickly dial 911 even if you can’t access the keypad. On some models this function is accessed by quickly pressing the side or power button multiple times, or by holding down the side or volume button. Be sure you know how this feature works on your specific phone model.
Location sharing.
Help others know where to find you by sending your real-time location to emergency contacts. Find and enable this feature on your Android or Samsung phone by using the Safety and Emergency settings, or use Emergency SOS via Satellite on iPhones.
Crash detection.
Some phones can detect a serious car accident and automatically alert emergency services or your emergency contacts. If your phone has this feature, you can set it up under the Personal Safety app in Android devices, or the Health app in iPhones.
Your phone may have additional emergency features besides those listed here, so spend some time getting to know your device and enabling all the SOS functions available.
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Save important info
Your phone isn’t just a beacon in an emergency — it’s also your primary reference guide.
Take screenshots of your insurance information, driver’s license or photo ID, and other important documents so you can verify your identity or provide important details to emergency responders even if you don’t have your wallet or physical documentation. Keep in mind though, if you’re saving sensitive information on your phone, you may want to store it in a hidden or locked folder so it’s not easily accessible to anyone but you.
It’s also important to save both your personal emergency contacts and general emergency numbers so you can easily get help when you need it.
Here are the main emergency phone numbers to save in your phone:
- Your emergency contact, such as a parent, spouse or close friend
- Police, 911 in the United States for emergencies
- 988, the U.S. Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
- Poison Control Center
- State Highway Patrol
- Your nearest police and fire department (for non-emergencies)
You should also consider saving these important numbers in your phone to help you in an emergency:
- Your doctor, pediatrician and/or veterinarian
- Your pharmacy
- Home health aides
- Your insurance company
- Your roadside assistance provider
- Your employer
- Your child’s school or caregiver
- A nearby relative or friend
- An out-of-town relative or friend
Protect the hardware
If your phone’s hardware is compromised, your SOS settings will be no help in an emergency. The best way to make sure your phone itself is safe during an accident is to use a shock-absorbing case and screen protector. This will prevent both your screen and all the internal components from severe damage from an accident or even everyday droppage.
You may even want to consider a waterproof case for protection against the elements or a plastic sleeve if you plan on being near water.
Preparation brings peace of mind
Because it’s difficult to predict when or where an emergency will happen, it is a smart idea to update your phone now so that you’re prepared to handle any situation that comes your way in the future. Be safe out there!
References:
- National Institutes of Health
- PCMag
- Samsung
- Apple Support
The information provided is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, risk management, or insurance advice. Implementation of any suggestions does not guarantee coverage, prevent loss, or modify the terms, conditions, or exclusions of any insurance policy. Coverage is determined solely by the terms of the applicable policy.