Guide as which cell phone apps to use and be safe in emergency – In case of any active shooting event

With so many of shooting incidents which are in the news recently being Stoneman Douglas High School shooting it is always better to know as how to make full use of your cell phone in such cases of emergency. Also this your kids should be made aware as which apps are useful to take advantage and communicating of their safety to their parents.  So while the most important thing is staying safe, there’s nothing wrong with being prepared and knowing the best way to navigate a bad situation. It’s not always easy to remember the right thing to do in such panicky situations even as adults, but if you have your cell phone in hand or your kid can get access to a cell phone nearby you can have access to a ton of things that can be both life saving and eye opening.

In this guide we will talk of certain useful apps to use in such cases and how to communicate effectively and be safe in emergencies.

Call 911 with your cell phone

First of all everyone should know who to contact first with your cell phone. Most of you know the useful number and that is to call 911 with your cell phone. Give the operator as much information as possible, and do everything you can to follow their instructions. If you need to remain on the phone with the operator, leave the call app and text your family while the call is happening. Communicate with as many people in your immediate family as possible, but remember to give as much information as you can about what is happening around you.

Text with your cell phone

If calling isn’t an option, either due to noise or concern for your safety if you are speaking, don’t hesitate to text. Whatever kind of message you can get out to your immediate family, do so. You may not be able to call 911, but there’s a good chance they can. Regardless of how you are communicating, make sure you include direct description of what you think is happening and whether you are safe, and if you feel like you will continue to be safe. If this event involves people with malicious intent and you have seen them, describe them as well.

Use Trusted Contacts App

Trusted contacts app is available at Google Play store free to download on your Android cell phone and also at iTunes store for your iOS iPhone. This a solid app for giving multiple family members some information immediately. It lets you quickly share an “I’m OK” kind of message, and if your family members ping you first and you don’t answer within a few minutes, the phone will share its location with only your family members.

It’s also important for parents or any one to do as much as possible to respond as frequently as possible, but not to demand responses. Do not try to call them, make sure they know to call you when they feel they are totally safe. Being calm and patient in this situation is impossible, but it’s what your child needs right now. Use the information your child or anyone that is unsafe is providing you to communicate with the authorities. Ask simple questions, remind your child or anyone to give as much detail as possible to help you, but stay as calm as possible.

Voice Recorder App

You don’t have to be constantly using your phone for it to be useful. There are some basic apps you can have installed on your phone to help you out no matter what. Voice recorder is one of them. There are many to choose from app store compatible to your smartphone that you use. Install a voice recorder app and turn it on when something happens and put your phone back in your pocket. This will help record what’s happening and what happened to you in case the help arrives late.

Few other Apps and things to use in crises

Use an ICE app so someone can find you if your phone is left behind. Also download maps for your area so your phone has a map even if you can’t connect to a network.

Also set your phone to power save mode when you are somewhere safe, so no matter what you’ve got some extra battery.

Remember most phones have a radio built in when you add headphones, but not every phone has an app built-in to use this feature Many USB-C phones and tablets can charge other electronics, so if you are with a group of people you can charge a single phone and keep it alive longer if necessary. Just make sure you have the right cable.

Using your cell phone camera in a crisis. If you feel compelled to record or broadcast what is happening around you, do it. Just make sure you are doing it as safely as possible. If you see something that you feel needs to be shared with as many people as possible, you absolutely have the tools to do so with your phone. Just make sure you are not endangering yourself or anyone else in the process.

Also while doing so stay low, and don’t move around too much. Try to record where you are, and nowhere else. Stay quiet, and try to ensure others near you are doing the same. Don’t draw any unnecessary attention to yourself.

Make sure you have included the appropriate information in the broadcast or video via text, so there’s no confusion. Make sure your volume is all the way down before you do anything.

Also don’t try to install a new app right there. Use what you have, even if that’s just the camera app. Recording video to publish later is a lot safer. If you already have a live streaming app installed, there’s nothing wrong with using that instead of recording. Use what you are most comfortable with.

Not only shooting incidents, but in case of fire, theft, you are lost or any other emergency situation you face these things you should keep in mind. Therefore always have these apps installed on your phone and check if they are working well or not.

Finally be calm at any situation. Also stay safe, no matter what and never be panicky or anxious. Stay calm and remember that you have a phone with you which has many useful tools to get you out of this situation by communicating to family or police in time.