Charging Your Cell Phone When The Power’s Out

We’ve all been there. We haven’t charged our cell phones or tablets and the power goes out and we don’t have enough “juice” left in the devices to allow you to call a friend or family member for help or to keep your children entertained during a power outage.

The best way to prepare for a power outage is to be cognizant of keeping your devices charged because whether it’s a weather issue or an electrical issue, not having power can lead to frustration and, in some cases, a touch of fear. Most of us think about stocking up on nonperishable items and water in the case of a storm or power outage, but not as many of us think about how and where to get power for our mobile devices in the same situation.

There are ways to assure your mobile devices are charged and at the ready and here are a few:

1. Invest in an additional battery and keep it always charged in case you need it.
2. Purchase a solar powered battery or a hand-crank power system. These devices can power your cell phones and tablets.
3. Have a camp stove or gas grill available for use when you can’t use the stove in your home. This is ideal if your power goes out and you need to cook up the food from your freezer before it spoils.
4. You can plug your cell phone into your computer’s USB port and get a charge for your phone that way. It will take longer than from an electrical outlet but it will provide you short term access to power.
5. Your car can be a source for powering up your cell phone and/or lap top. Simply plug your phone into the cigarette lighter or USB charger ports in the car. Turn the car on and you can charge your devices. Don’t run your car in a closed garage and don’t keep it running when you’re not able to keep an eye on it from the house.

When the power goes out it’s best to conserve as much energy as you can by turning off devices that are not in use and turning them on when you need to use them or get updates on weather conditions.

Of interest to caregivers and their loved ones: If you use a LifeFone home medical alert system you can rest assured that even in the case of a power failure the LifeFone base unit and its built-in battery will protect your loved one for up to 32 hours. In the event of a power outage, the LifeFone Response Center is automatically notified and will take action according to the Emergency Care Instructions you have in place.