Hurricane Planning: Your Electronic Devices

Verizon suggests that families prepare their electronic devices and form emergency communication plans with family members. Here's what to do:

• Keep phones, batteries, chargers and other equipment in a dry, accessible location. Consider waterproof accessories or simple zip-lock storage bags to protect devices.
• Keep wireless phone batteries fully charged -- in case local power is lost -- well before warnings are issued.
• Have additional charged batteries and car-charger adapters available for back-up power.
• Maintain a list of emergency numbers -- police and fire agencies; power and insurance companies; family, friends and co-workers; etc. -- and program them into your phone.
• Distribute wireless phone numbers to family members and friends.
• Download from a wide variety of weather- and safety-related applications for smartphones, tablets and other devices. Many of these apps are free.
• Use services such as Backup Assistant, a free Verizon Wireless application that stores a phone's address book on a secure server in case the phone is lost or damaged.

If the storm threatens the region further, Verizon Wireless urges the following:

• Limit non-emergency calls to conserve battery power and free-up wireless networks for emergency agencies and operations.
• Send brief text messages rather than voice calls for the same reasons as above.
• Forward your home phone calls to your wireless number if you evacuate.
• Check weather and news reports on wireless phone applications when power is out.

"Of course, we hope Irene turns out to be harmless here," said Pam Tope, a region president for Verizon Wireless. "But early preparation is the key to staying safe."