Make your phone an emergency kit!

While you are preparing emergency kits for your homes and cars, don’t forget about your phone.  Here is a list of apps that you should download to help you and your family be prepared in emergencies.

Local apps. Know what is happening locally by downloading your areas apps that might be offered through your local emergency services or utility companies.

Maps and Weather.  Having both of these apps will help you be on top of threatening weather and traffic information in case of an evacuation.  Weather apps can also give you notifications if severe weather is in your area.  The Emergency App from American Red Cross is available on the Apple App Store or Google Play.  With this app, you can monitor over 35 severe weather and emergency alerts.  You can monitor emergencies in your area as well as keeping an eye on places and people you care about.  This app also allows you to broadcast messages so friends and family members can report their safety status.

Flashlight App.  A lot of phones have the flashlight built in but some you do need to download an app.

Note-taking and recording.  Having lists of vital information you may need in an emergency is key to being prepared.  Try Apps for uploading files, photos, audio and notes into one place; to make quick task lists; or for recording notes. These apps can help you be ready as well as helpful tools during an emergency for recording information.

Emergency prep apps.  The American Red Cross and FEMA both provide apps that are useful. The Red Cross’ applications are listed at www.redcross.org/prepare/mobile-apps, and include apps for finding shelters and instructions for performing first aid. FEMA’s app is at www.fema.gov/smartphone-app.  Another app from American Red Cross that is great for teaching kids age 7-11 emergency preparedness is the Monster Guard App.  Also available from the Apple App Store or Google Play, this app is a great learning game and tool.  While playing, kids learn about different types of emergencies and how to be prepared; earning badges along the way.

While no tool is perfect for every disaster, you can find some solace in being as prepared as you can be. Head to your app store and check out the different apps available to you.  Learn how the apps work before an emergency happens so you can easily make use of them when you need them.