Verizon at Home

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Legend has it that Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Boy Scouts, was once asked about Scouting’s time-honored motto “Be Prepared.”

“Be prepared for what?” someone asked.

“Why,” responded Baden-Powell, “any old thing.”

As Tropical Storm (and potentially Hurricane) Isaac barrels through the Gulf of Mexico, Verizon is taking that motto to heart, readying its network and service operations for the worst the storm could possibly deal to our customers in Florida. From testing our backup generators at all of our facilities to readying our fleet of vehicles to respond at a moment’s notice, we’re trying to leave no stone unturned by planning for the worst but hoping for the best.

You, too, can ensure that you’re taking the necessary steps to ready yourself and your loved ones from the impact of the storm:

• Maintain a list of emergency phone numbers and email addresses – police, fire, and rescue agencies; power companies; insurance providers; family, friends and co-workers; etc. – and program them into your phone, smartphone, tablet or laptop.
  
  
• In your phone’s contact list, store the number of a person to contact under the contact name ICE (In Case of Emergency). In an emergency, if you are seriously injured or disabled, authorities will be quickly know who to call in an emergency should you be unable to.
  
  
• Distribute wireless phone numbers and email addresses to family members and friends.
  
  
• Forward your home phone calls to your wireless number if you will be away or need to evacuate.
  
  
• Practice sending text messages.
  
  
• Social media and email accounts can serve as a way for you, your family and friends to stay connected. Set up those accounts on your Internet capable devices as a way to stay connected with status and location updates.
  
  
• Set up your work email and server log-in (when allowed) to your wireless device to stay updated with co-workers in the event of emergency office closures.
  
  
• Develop a systematic evacuation and communications plan with family and friends that includes what to do, who calls who, where to go, and what supplies and items you will take with you.

Lastly, don't forget the oldest trick in the book. Dust off that old, corded telephone -- if you don't already use one -- and plug it directly into your telephone jack. Cordless telephones may not work during a power outage, even though Verizon still might be providing dial tone to your home.

Click here to read Verizon’s full press release on our emergency preparedness activities. Click here for additional customer tips on how to prepare for natural disasters. Got more tips for us and the community? Comment below and we may share your tips in future posts and tweets!