Use Your Wireless Phone To Prepare For The Unexpected (NAPSA)—Wireless communi- cation—it’s how we stay connected, especially during hurricanes, wildfires or other emergencies. Planning ahead can help you stay safe and prepare for the unexpected. So don’t wait for your local weatherman to forecast bad weather. Create an emergency communications plan now for you and your family. Preparing your emergency communications plan is easy. These quick and easy steps can help you stay connected in the event of an emergency: Purchase additional batteries and car-charger adapters for your wireless devices; make sure to keep the batteries fully charged. Keep phones, laptops, PDAs, batteries, chargers and other equipment in a dry, accessible location. It is a good idea to keep them in a sealable, plastic bag. Maintain a list of emergency phone numbers—police, fire and rescue agencies; power companies; insurance providers; family, friends and co-workers—and program them into your phone. Distribute wireless phone numbers to family members and friends. Forward homephonecalls to your wireless number if you will be away from your home or have to evacuate. If your wireless device has texting capabilities, practice sending text messages. Most have texting capability, but double-check and learn how to use it before you needit. Develop a systematic evacua- tion and communications plan with family and friends that includes what to do, who calls who, where to go and what supplies and items you will take with you. If you find yourself in an emergency or severe weathersituation, keep the following tips in mind to stay safe and connected: Limit nonemergencycalls to conserve battery power and free up wireless networks for emer- gency agencies and operations during an emergency. Send brief text messages rather than call—text messages Victims in disaster zones visit an Emergency Communications Center for free phone calls, battery charging and technical support and Internet access. get through when wireless networks are often overtaxed in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster. When power is out, check weather and newsreports available through many Internet-connected wireless phones and through other wireless phone applications. You aren’t the only one who will be planning ahead. Companies such as Verizon Wireless prepare year-round so they can keep cus- tomers connected during severe weather. Verizon Wireless cell sites have on-site backup power so they work even when the power goes out. And the company regularly deploys real-life “test men and women,” who inspired the company’s popular ad campaign, to test and fine tuneits all-digital network. Verizon Wireless also is prepared to help first responders and victims in times of emergency by deploying mobile cell sites to hard-hit locations to provide extra network capacity as needed, as well as Wireless Emergency Communications Centers whereresidents can makefree calls and recharge phone batteries. Advance preparations and the company’s investment in its wireless network’s reliability have proved critical during and after severe weather, as the Verizon Wireless network remained strong while other wireless communication networks struggled. For more information about Verizon Wireless, visit www. verizonwireless.com.
