Prepare to Stay Connected During Natural Disasters

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Earthquakes, mudslides, and storms are a fact of life if you live in the Western United States. Wildfire season in Arizona is already off to an early start with multiple major wildfires burning throughout the state, the largest being the 10,000-plus acre Gladiator Fire.

Unfortunately, natural disasters often strike without warning, so it’s important to be prepared in advance to keep yourself and your family safe.  We all rely on our smartphones for Internet access, email and other tasks, but they can be a lifeline in an emergency setting.  Knowing how to best use your device can help get you through a disaster.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you prepare your disaster communications plan:

•    Keep devices charged and accessible and to program emergency numbers in your cell phone for one-touch dialing.
•    Know how to send text messages, take pictures and videos, activate your GPS and use navigation services.
•    Limit non-emergency calls to conserve battery power and free-up wireless networks for emergency agencies and   operations.  
•    Keep an extra power cord with your emergency kit.  The ability to charge a phone will be critical during an emergency.
•    Take the time to teach young children how to use to use the cell phone in an emergency and when and how to dial 9-1-1.
•    Develop a plan for emergency preparedness that includes supplies and a communications strategy for friends and family.
•    Check out the video above for more tips to stay safe.

Throughout the year, Verizon Wireless works to keep its wireless network the nation's most reliable, so we’re ready for any natural disaster that may affect our customers and communities. We prepare year-round so customers can rely on the Verizon Wireless network to keep them and their families, friends and employees connected – even when the unexpected strikes. Verizon Wireless has invested $11 billion in the West since 2000 to make sure our network is as ready, reliable and resilient as possible.

We build our network from the ground up with disaster recovery and survivability in mind. How? Check out this video.

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