Published on 9/2/2025
Annually, September is recognized as National Disaster Preparedness Month. From hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, and more—disasters come in many forms. Are you, your family and friends prepared to weather the storms?
At Cricket Wireless, we’ve readied our networks and personnel to proactively respond to our communities. It only takes one storm to change your life. Staying connected during any emergency is critical for your safety.
Here are essential tips to prepare your family and devices no matter what nature throws your way:
1. Keep Your Devices Charged and Ready
Power outages are common during disasters. Fully charge your mobile devices ahead of time and have backup options like portable power banks or solar chargers to keep your phones powered up when you need them most.
2. Protect Your Phones from the Elements
Use waterproof or rugged cases to shield your devices from water, dust, and debris—especially during storms or wildfires. Consider waterproof pouches with lanyards for easy access while on the move.
3. Save Critical Information Offline
Program emergency contacts into your phone and save important documents, evacuation routes, and maps for offline access. Apps that function without internet can be lifesaving when connectivity is temporarily limited.
4. Use Text Messaging to Stay Connected
Text messages use less network capacity and often get through faster than voice calls during emergencies. Prioritize texting to keep communication lines open for critical updates.
5. Limit Non-Essential Calls and Social Media Use
To avoid network congestion, keep calls and social media activity to a minimum during and immediately after disasters, ensuring emergency communications get priority.
6. Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts
Turn on emergency alerts on your phone to receive real-time updates and official warnings from trusted sources like FEMA and the National Weather Service.
7. Document Damage Safely
Use your phone’s camera to take photos or videos of any damage for insurance claims—but only if it’s safe to do so.
8. Support Your Community
Share these tips with neighbors, especially those who may need extra assistance like seniors or people with disabilities. Preparedness is strongest when we look out for each other.
When disaster strikes, let’s stay prepared. At Cricket Wireless, we know meaningful connections matter—even more so during unexpected emergencies.
