- Familiarize yourself with the phone – you probably don’t use your emergency phone all that often (or, we hope you don’t!) so it’s important to be sure that you and anyone who might have to use the device is familiar with how to use it. You don’t want to have to be looking for a manual in an emergency situation.
- Keep the battery charged – Because you’re not using the device that frequently, you will need to remember to turn it on at least once a month and make sure that it still works and the battery is still charged. Don’t overcharge old phones, but do be sure it’s ready to go just in case.
- Newer phones might not be a bad idea –I think when most people think about emergency-only phones, flip phones come to mind. However, keep in mind that those older devices aren’t going to have GPS on them, and that is one of the ways that dispatch will find your location. If possible, a slightly newer device isn’t a bad plan.
- Put family contacts on the device – Whether or not you have any number memorized, you’ll want to be sure you have the emergency numbers for any appropriate family members, and be sure it’s updated. In a crisis, you’ll want to be able to contacted loved ones quickly without having to remember a long number.
- No service doesn’t always mean no service – All cell phones can always dial 911 whether or not they are have any paid service. So, even if you have no service and no signal on the device, it’s worth a shot.
- Texting 911 might be an option – Some states have begun to offer texting-to-911 services. If you’re having trouble getting a call through, try sending a text. Texts can sometimes go through when calls will not.
- Pay Go is probably your best bet – If you’re only using the phone for emergencies, then you won’t want to have to deal with a monthly bill. Instead try a Tracfone-style pay-as-you-go model. Just make sure the minutes have a decently long expiration date so you can be sure to have service to call loved ones.
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