Today we have more ways to speak with one another than ever before.  We are used to staying in touch with cell phones, internet, and email, but emergencies and disasters can change things.  These devices may not be available.  Cell phone towers quickly become overloaded with people trying to reach friends and family.  If the power is out at your home than your electronic devices will not work either.

Have a phone with a cord and a car charger for your cell phone standing by in case of a power failure.

Phones with cordless handsets will not work in a disaster because they need more electricity than they can get from the phone jack.  Old fashioned phones with a cord connecting from the handset to the base of the phone will work even during a power outage.  Make sure that you have at least one phone with a cord in your home in case of a power outage.

Keep a car charger for your cell phone in your vehicle.  If the power is out in your home, you will still be able to charge your cell phone in your vehicle.

If you do not have a landline and you use a cell phone as your home phone, remember that cell phone towers may be tied up with calls in an emergency.  However, a text message from your cell phone may get through when a phone call does not.  Make sure everyone in your family knows how to send and receive text messages.