My family often teases me for my obsession with keeping my phone charged close to 100%. I plug it in almost all day, even while using it, and become anxious if it dips below 70-80%. My kids, on the other hand, usually wait until their devices are nearly dead before charging, only to panic when they can’t stream their favorite shows. Maybe my charging habits aren’t so crazy after all?
Part of my urgency to keep my phone charged stems from a tendency to prepare for the unexpected. With the increasing frequency of natural disasters, this mindset feels more justified. From my experience during Hurricane Sandy, when some relatives lost power for weeks, I learned that having a charged phone is essential for reaching out for help or connecting with others during emergencies.
Recently, after facing Hurricane Ida, I realized it was time to reassess my disaster preparedness strategies. I made sure all devices were fully charged and that our backup chargers were ready. However, Ida’s impact was surprising for many, highlighting the fact that preparedness is crucial.
1. Invest in External Chargers
I’ve relied on an external battery pack since Hurricane Sandy. However, I now realize that a single charger may not suffice during extended power outages. I’m planning to purchase additional portable chargers and keep them fully charged. Solar chargers are another option, although they require sunlight, which can be scarce during a storm. Consider hand-crank chargers as a backup option for those dire situations—they generate some electricity, albeit not a lot.
2. Utilize Your Laptop
If the power goes out, you can charge your phone using your laptop. Just ensure you have the right charging cables. While you might worry about draining your laptop’s battery, in emergencies, it’s more critical to have a functional phone than a fully charged laptop.
3. Charge in Your Vehicle
During Hurricane Sandy, we charged our phones in the car. Just make sure your car has a charging adapter. Contrary to popular belief, charging your phone won’t drain your car’s battery significantly. However, if fuel is limited due to the disaster, be strategic about when you charge your devices.
4. Conserve Battery Life
To extend your phone’s battery life, activate “low battery mode” in your settings. Close unnecessary apps, reduce screen brightness, and switch to airplane mode when you don’t expect incoming messages. Rely on texting over voice calls, and use Wi-Fi instead of cellular data when possible. Check out this WebMD article for more tips on battery conservation.
5. Seek Charging Stations
During emergencies, many communities set up relief centers with charging stations. Libraries and cafes often have generators for public use. Consider bringing a power strip to charge multiple devices at once.
While these tips focus on keeping your devices charged, remember to prepare for other aspects of disaster readiness, such as having a go-bag and maintaining communication plans. It’s always better to be prepared than to regret it later, especially in light of our changing climate.
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Summary
Keeping your phone charged during a natural disaster is essential. By investing in multiple external chargers, utilizing your laptop and car for charging, conserving battery life, and finding public charging stations, you can stay connected when it matters most. Prepare for emergencies by also considering other vital aspects of disaster readiness.