Earthquake Preparedness: 7 Simple Tips For Cell Phone Users

Verizon Wireless participates in The Big Rumble and offers tips to consumers.

WALNUT CREEK, CA — This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake. On October 17, 2009, Verizon Wireless will participate in the Bay Area’s Big Rumble, a weeklong series of events designed to connect our communities with preparedness resources to make it an everyday part of our lives.

Earthquakes and other natural disasters can strike at any time. Preparedness is key for individuals, families and businesses. In preparation for Big Rumble, Verizon Wireless offers the following cell phone tips in the event of earthquakes:

1. Know how to use call forwarding at home. If you have to evacuate, forward your home phone calls to your cell phone.
2. Conserve battery power and free-up wireless networks for emergency response agencies by limiting non-emergency calls.
3. Keep a car-charger in your vehicle in case you must evacuate.
4. Save emergency phone numbers in your cell phone for one-touch dialing.
5. Store back-up batteries for electronic devices, including your cell phone.
6. Consider using text messages to communicate.
7. Understand your cell phone’s capabilities: e-mail, weather updates and news reports are all tools that can help after a disaster.
8. Small business owners can help employees stay connected to the Internet, e-mail and company databases with high-speed data services for laptops.

To learn more, visit the Verizon Wireless booth on the Marina Green during the Big Rumble Preparedness Fair in San Francisco from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2009.