Knowing who to call in an emergency—whether it’s a break-in, fire, or heart attack—is critical. Without a doubt, the first number you should dial is 9-1-1. Getting the police, fire, or EMS crews to your location is the top priority. If the situation allows, you may also want to contact a specific loved one, like a spouse or parent.
Avoid panicking during the emergency so that you can clearly communicate necessary information to the authorities. If you’re worried about keeping your cool in an emergency, consider using one of these technologies to help you navigate potentially dangerous situations.
Alarm Monitoring
If you have a professional home security system, chances are good that you have a monitoring center waiting for communication from your alarm. Alarm monitoring centers are central stations for alarm companies. When your alarm is triggered, it sends a signal to that station to alert representatives that something is wrong. Monitoring personnel will then call you to confirm that the alarm went off and make sure everything is ok. If you don’t answer, the representative will make the necessary calls to dispatch appropriate help.
This is great because you don’t have to worry about calling 9-1-1 during a break-in. You can focus on getting out of the house or to a safe location while the monitoring station makes the calls.
Safety Wearables
Wearable devices, like fitness trackers and smartwatches, are hot tech right now. Safety wearables, though, are more than the latest tech fad. They are designed to alert an appropriate contact in the event of an emergency, making them especially useful when you’re out and about. Not every emergency happens at home, after all.
Some of these devices are geared toward adults with mobility issues and others who may experience more frequent medical emergencies. These devices may be connected to monitoring stations, much like a home security system. One example is the ADT Medical Alert Plus.
There are similar safety and GPS trackers for children as well.
Read through our Best Home Security and Safety Resources for further tips on navigating emergency situations to keep your family safe.
