Quick reminder: Most old cellphones can still call 911 even without a plan. Federal law requires all cellphones to connect to emergency services, even if they don’t have active service. A 2-year-old in Oklahoma put this to the test by calling for an emergency donut delivery. The dispatcher played along, and the police showed up with Dunkin’ treats.
Prep your home for emergencies
Boy, will you be thankful if you ever need to use this gear! It’s all about peace of mind.
- Flashlights (25% off) and batteries are both musts.
- A battery-powered or hand-crank radio is perfect in case there’s no cell signal.
- Don’t forget a first-aid kit … which you should already own, really.
- Grab a manual can opener (20% off) if yours is electric.
- Make sure you have a cooler (this one keeps ice for five days!) and lots of ice packs (20% off).
- I like to keep around a solar charger, too. It’s a good time to buy, with this one now 28% off.
💩 You take your phone to the bathroom. Sanitize it the right way! This top-rated UV model gets rid of 99% of germs in 10 minutes.
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How to use your phone's Emergency SOS
Your phone’s Emergency SOS can be a lifesaver in a crisis. Here’s how to use it.
Watch your pulse: If you have no pulse and don’t move for 20 seconds, Google’s Pixel Watch 3 calls emergency services. The FDA just gave Google the go-ahead to roll it out. Have one? Go to Safety & emergency > Loss of Pulse Detection to turn it on.
What caused the Windows outage?
Here’s the full story as to what caused airlines, emergency services, and banks to shutdown.
Ways to contact SOS with phones and trackers
What if your voice wasn’t an option in an emergency? It’s a scary thought, but there are ways to get help without saying a word.
Don't trust ANYONE
There’s a classic theft tactic making the rounds once again. If someone approaches you with an “emergency” and asks to borrow your phone, don’t do it. I’ll explain why.
How to go off the grid, safely
Taking a break from tech is great, but you don’t want to be stranded in an emergency. Here’s how to stay connected even when you have no service.
How to set emergency contacts for iPhone
I hope you never need to use them, but everyone should set up emergency contacts. I’ll walk you through the process. It only takes a minute!
Employees are suing over going back to work
With the COVID emergency long gone, can employers fire workers who refuse to come back into the office? Plus, Apple Watch gets the FDA green light, why you should power down, and watch for this TSA scam.
OpenAI rolls out ChatGPT-4o: What to know
It’s much smarter and faster than before, and it will be available for free. Plus, what happens when you’re in the emergency room and your hospital gets hacked? We talk to Zackery Ryan, a patient who was at the hospital during last week’s Ascension cyberattack.
Emergency alert conspiracy theories and rumors
What are some of the rumors floating around online? Here’s a rundown, in one minute.
Why yesterday's emergency wireless test proved nothing
Did you get the alert yesterday? Here’s my take, in one minute.
How much money you need in an emergency
Do you have enough cash on hand? This is the right amount to keep stored, in one minute.
You're about to get a massive emergency alert
No need to panic if your phone starts blaring this week. Find out what’s happening, in 60 seconds.
How your Wi-Fi can help in an emergency
Don’t have any service? Here’s how your Wi-Fi can come in handy, in one minute.
How to call 911 from a locked phone
Get ahold of a locked phone in an emergency? Here’s what to do, in 60 seconds.
Make a secret emoji emergency code
Wish you had a secret button to press when you’re in trouble? I’ll tell you how emojis can be that, in one minute.
Burner phones are good for a lot of things
In the middle of an emergency? I share why a burner phone is always good to have on hand, in one minute.