If you’ve tuned into the news or have checked social media within the latest hour, Paris is under siege with six different locations almost simultaneously under deadly attacks. The national borders of Paris has been shut down & Paris is now under a state of emergency. Drenched in chaos and countless people paralyzed with fear, some people are turning to social media to share news of their safety and the latest reports of explosions and deadly shootings across Paris.
If you are in Paris, and need somewhere safe to stay, or can offer a safe haven. Parisiens are using hashtag #PorteOuverte. Stay safe. X
— Jake Humphrey (@mrjakehumphrey) November 13, 2015
During this unprecedented attack, many are concerned for their friends and loved ones in Paris & have no way to account for their safety. This has me wondering how I would react if thrown in case of an emergency. How would I connect with family and friends if cell phone, internet, or landline phones don’t work? There are sites and apps that help you prepare, plan and stay informed for emergencies, discover them and create a safety plan for you and your family below.
Ready.gov is a national site designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies including natural and terrorist disasters. This site was created and shares updates to encourage the public to increase the level of basic preparedness in case of untimely emergency.
Guardly: Users can instantaneously connect with friends and family in emergencies with Guardly. With a few taps, users can dial for help or send out an alert. Triggering an alert enables real-time location tracking. Users can also capture and send photos to mobile contacts or authorities in non-threatening emergencies. On the app’s map, users can see which friends and family members are nearby. Another in-app defense lets students sound off a blaring siren to “deter would-be attackers” and “signal for help.” (Free on iPhone, Android and Blackberry app with $1.99 monthly subscription or $19.99 one-year subscription. App comes with a few free features.)
MyForce: The subscription-based MyForce app puts an emergency alert system in your pocket. Tap to send a call for help when you sense danger. By hitting the app’s bright red button, you’ll trigger a discreet alarm. Once the alert is triggered, MyForce will start recording your call and pinpoint your present location. The monitoring operator who you connect with will determine it’s an emergency and call 911. Your emergency contacts will also be alerted. Free iPhone, Android and Blackberry smartphone app (with monthly subscription).
Circle Of 6: The Circle of 6 app is designed to help users out of dangerous situations. On the app, users should connect the phone numbers of up to six family members or friends. In dangerous situations, users can safely send a mass message for help. By pressing the car icon, users send out a text complete with current GPS location. Your safety network will get your message and can plan for pickup. Users can also call 911 from within the app. Free iPhone and Android.
There’s no better time to think about preparing for safety and create a communication plan with your family and friends using the apps and website listed. Share this article with friends and family today. Do you have an emergency plan in place? Share your thoughts below!
