Know why you should keep your phone updated with emergency contacts
A modern mobile device does far more than just let us connect with our loved ones it can actually act as your lifeline should something ever happen
A modern mobile device does far more than just let us connect with our loved ones it can actually act as your lifeline should something ever happen. In the unfortunate event of an auto accident, sudden sickness, or other crisis situation, ensuring that you have updated emergency contacts stored in your mobile phone will allow the authorities and others to promptly notify and connect with your designated family or close friends.
How will this help?
Emergency contacts serve as a quick method of contact when a hospital, police, or passerby needs to alert your spouse, parents, or another significant loved one of a traumatic situation. This communication allows loved ones the speed and certainty needed to be contacted immediately in times of incapacity, unconsciousness, inability to speak, or medical and legal decisions. It is particularly important that your emergency contacts are updated if you: – Change phones or your phone number – Relocate to a new town or city – Your listed emergency contacts (spouse, family, close friends, etc.) no longer live at the old address or have acquired new phone numbers
What are the risks of outdated emergency contacts?
In times of crisis, even old information on your cell phone can have significant ramifications for your personal situation, for example: – Loved ones will be left uninformed – Delayed or even no proper and swift treatment will occur because hospitals or doctors will want authorization to proceed in some treatments – Police will have difficulty identifying you, calling a known person that represents you and securing the help you may need at that time – The crucial time window for optimal recovery will be lost in emergency scenarios
How should I select my emergency contacts?
The most useful and reliable people to include as your emergency contacts will possess the following qualities: – Will not screen incoming calls the vast majority of the time – Currently or are typically available in the immediate or general geographic vicinity and can arrive if needed – Aware of all the necessary information of your health status such as allergies, any ongoing health conditions, and current medications – Able to make medical and/or other types of decisions if a crisis does not allow you to “call the shots” – Ideally (though not exclusively) of a similar age to yourself – Will agree to be an emergency contact It’s also essential to communicate with your emergency contacts about their selection, as they may have information pertaining to your health and preferences if something should happen.
Keep your contacts up to date
It will only take a couple of minutes each year to update the following information to keep you in a well-prepared and safe space should the worst happen: – Ensure you are looking through each and every contacts record each few months – Remove old phone numbers if a member of your family has gotten new digits – Drop an individual out if you would like to update and swap for another contact if you would not like to keep their data as it currently stands – Always include a minimum of two points of contact – Leverage the Medical ID function that comes with every smartphone device so that critical information such as allergies and blood type may be displayed to emergency workers, even while your phone may be secured by your PIN.
What else can you do? – Take an extra moment or two to jot down your important health notes including such data as allergic reactions, blood type, and other prevalent medical situations in the medical ID part of your mobile phone – Charge your phone periodically in anticipation – Set an option that permits a health card to appear on the phone screen so that information may be seen even when it’s secured to avoid being disabled from access by a passcode.
