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By Staci Lell

Prepare your phone by keeping it charged, carrying a backup battery and charging cable, saving important contacts, downloading maps and critical information for offline access, turning on Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and keeping your phone's software updated. Also create a family communication plan so everyone knows how to reconnect if you're separated. When emergencies happen, staying connected matters. Cricket Wireless is here with a few simple tips to help you find trusted information and stay in touch with loved ones.

Why your phone is an important part of emergency preparedness

Your phone can be an important tool for receiving emergency information, contacting loved ones, and accessing important resources during an emergency. A few simple steps from Cricket Wireless can help you protect what matters, find reliable information, and stay connected with the people you care about.

Cricket character. charging their phone

Make an emergency communication plan

The members of your household may not be together when an emergency happens. Talk through how you’ll contact one another, where you’ll meet, and what you’ll do if you need to evacuate.

Choose emergency contacts for your family’s plan

Choose family members, friends, and local services you may need to reach during an emergency. Save their phone numbers in everyone’s phone and keep a written copy nearby, so you can feel confident that help is within reach.

Pick family emergency meeting places

Choose one easy-to-find meeting place near home and another outside your neighborhood. Knowing where to meet gives everyone greater peace of mind if you get separated.

Create a family emergency group chat

Start a family group chat before an emergency happens. A simple message about where you are and whether you’re safe can help everyone stay informed and worry less.

Choose an out of area contact

Pick a trusted person outside your area who can help your family reconnect. Save the contact’s number in every family member’s phone, so your household has one clear point of contact when local communication is difficult.

Once you have a plan, share it with everyone at home and practice it together. Ready.gov recommends considering how you’ll receive alerts, where you’ll shelter, which evacuation route you’ll use and how everyone will reconnect.

Build an emergency supply kit

Pack the basics your household may need if power, water, or other services are interrupted.

Keep an emergency phone charger and backup battery

Add a phone charger and fully charged backup battery to your emergency kit. Having backup power can help you access updates and stay connected to the people who matter, giving you one less thing to worry about.

Pack an emergency supply kit

Pack water, non-perishable food, and first-aid supplies in an easy-to-carry container. Having the basics ready can help you feel more prepared and in control when the unexpected happens.

Here’s a checklist of what to include in your emergency supply kit from Cricket Wireless:

  • Water and non-perishable food
  • Prescription medicine
  • A first-aid kit
  • Flashlights and extra batteries
  • A battery-powered or hand-crank radio
  • Copies of important documents
  • Cash and local maps
  • Personal care items
  • Supplies for children or pets
  • A phone charger and backup battery

Store everything in an easy-to-carry container. Be sure to check your kit regularly and replace expired items as needed. Ready.gov recommends keeping several days of supplies and tailoring the kit to your household’s needs.

Keep emergency documents and maps ready

Store copies of identification, insurance information, and other important documents in a secure place. Save local maps and evacuation routes for offline access, so you can make informed decisions even when connectivity is limited.

Prepare your phone

During an emergency, your phone can help you get important updates, reach loved ones, and find reliable information. A little preparation now can help you stay connected when it matters most.

Charge your phone and backup battery

Your phone can be your lifeline in an emergency. Keep your phone charged when severe weather is expected. Store a portable power bank and the correct charging cable in your emergency kit.

Save important emergency contacts

When time matters, you don’t want to search for numbers. Add family members, caregivers, schools, doctors, insurance providers and local emergency contacts to your phone and keep a written copy in your emergency kit as a backup.

Download maps and important information

Save printed versions or offline copies of evacuation details, local maps and critical documents ahead of time so you can access them if connectivity is limited so you can stay focused on what matters most.

Turn on wireless emergency alerts (WEA)

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are short, locally targeted warnings sent by authorized public safety officials to compatible phones. They’re free, and you don’t need to subscribe. Check your phone’s emergency or government alert settings to make sure they’re enabled. You can also follow updates from local emergency officials, the National Weather Service, and trusted news sources.

Update your phone's software

Whether you have an iPhone or an Android device, keep your phone's operating system updated so you have the latest security updates, emergency alert capabilities and performance improvements. Turn on automatic updates when possible and check for updates before severe weather or emergency situations.

Know how to contact emergency services

Learn how emergency calling works on your device and make sure household members know how to contact emergency services if needed. Many smartphones can place emergency calls even when normal service is limited.

How to stay connected during an emergency

During an emergency, use short messages to tell loved ones:

  • Where you are
  • Whether you’re safe
  • Where you’re going
  • When you’ll check in again

Create a family group message before an emergency and choose one person to coordinate updates. You may also want an out-of-area contact who can help household members reconnect. Staying connected is an important part of being prepared. Cricket Wireless encourages you to include your phone, charger, and backup power source in your emergency kit.

Keep supplies where you may need them

You may not be home when an emergency happens. Consider keeping:

  • A main emergency kit at home
  • A smaller grab-and-go kit at work
  • Basic food, water, light and charging supplies in your car
  • Local evacuation route maps and plans

Ready.gov recommends planning for home, work and your vehicle.

Review your plan

Your emergency plan should keep up with your life changes. You can keep everyone on the same page by reviewing your plan regularly:

  • Update emergency contacts
  • Recharge backup batteries
  • Replace expired food and medicine
  • Review evacuation routes
  • Practice your communication plan with your household

A few small updates can help your plan stay useful and ready.

Emergency plan checklist from Cricket Wireless:

Here’s a checklist for your emergency plan. Before an emergency:

  • Charge your phone
  • Charge your backup battery
  • Pack the correct charging cable
  • Save emergency contacts
  • Create a family group chat
  • Choose an out-of-area contact
  • Turn on Wireless Emergency Alerts
  • Update your phone's software
  • Download important maps
  • Save important documents offline
  • Check your phone's emergency settings
  • Keep your phone in your emergency kit or grab-and-go bag

Be ready for what comes next

You can’t always predict an emergency, but you can take simple steps to feel more prepared. Be sure to make a plan, pack essential supplies, charge your phone and backup battery, and check that emergency alerts are turned on. With a little preparation and Cricket Wireless helping you stay connected, you’ll be ready to access important information and reach the people who matter most.

Emergency sources and recommended resources

Here’s a list of resources to help you make your plan and stay connected during an emergency:

Frequently asked questions about how to stay connected during an emergency 
 
How do I prepare my phone for an emergency? 

Charge your phone, keep a backup battery and charging cable with your emergency supplies, save important contacts, download maps and critical information for offline access, turn on Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and keep your phone software updated. 

What should I keep in my emergency phone kit? 

Keep your phone, charging cable, portable power bank, backup battery if available, written emergency contacts and any other accessories your phone requires. Consider storing the kit in a waterproof container. 

What are Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)? 

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are free notifications sent to compatible mobile devices by authorized federal, state and local public safety agencies. They can provide warnings about certain emergencies, including imminent threats and AMBER Alerts. 

Do I have to sign up for Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)? 

No. You generally don't subscribe to WEAs. However, compatible phones may have settings that allow you to enable or disable certain types of alerts. Cricket Wireless provides additional information about WEA settings and supported devices. 

Why didn't I receive a Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA)? 

Possible reasons include an incompatible phone, disabled alert settings, being outside the targeted area, the phone being turned off or in use when the alert was sent, or outdated phone software. 

How can I save my phone battery during an emergency? 

Reduce nonessential phone use, enable your phone's battery-saving features and use your backup battery when necessary. Keep your phone charged whenever severe weather or another emergency is expected. 

Should I download maps before an emergency? 

Yes. Download maps and other important information that you may need if internet connectivity is limited. 

What should I put in an emergency kit? 

An emergency kit can include water, nonperishable food, medicine, first-aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, a radio, important documents, cash, personal-care items ,and phone charging equipment. Ready.gov recommends tailoring your kit to your household's needs. 

How can my family communicate during an emergency? 

Create a family communication plan that identifies emergency contacts, meeting locations, evacuation plans ,and how household members will reconnect if they become separated. 

What is a family emergency communication plan?  

A family emergency communication plan explains how household members will contact one another, where they’ll meet, and how they’ll reconnect if they’re separated. It should include emergency contacts, meeting places, and evacuation or shelter information.

Is texting better than calling during an emergency? 

Texting can be a useful way to communicate when voice calls are difficult, but no communication method is guaranteed to work during every emergency. Keep messages short and prioritize essential updates to important contacts. 

What emergency numbers should I save on my phone? 

Save important personal and local contacts, such as family members, caregivers, schools, doctors, insurance providers and other organizations relevant to your household. For immediate emergencies in the U.S., call 911. 

How often should I update my emergency plan? 

Review your plan regularly and whenever important circumstances change, such as a new phone number, address, household member, caregiver, workplace or evacuation route.