Tech how-to: How to automatically alert loved ones in an emergency

Unsure occasions remind us that we’re not all the time ready as we have to be. 

Within the digital world, nobody is ever really prepared for the truth of getting hacked. Faucet or click on to see if somebody is absolutely watching what you do or in the event you’re being paranoid. 

Within the bodily world, our tech could make a world of distinction. Take the Apple Watch, which has been credited with saving lives. Faucet or click on for the emergency and well being options you must arrange now earlier than you want them. 

Don’t neglect about your cellphone. Right here’s find out how to arrange emergency options that may alert your family members if one thing occurs to you. 

You probably have an iPhone 

Once you make a name with Apple’s Emergency SOS characteristic, your iPhone does a couple of issues. It’s going to name the native emergency quantity and alert your emergency contacts by way of textual content message. 

Your cellphone will even ship your present location to your emergency contacts, together with modifications to your location. Which means they’ll comply with alongside in the event you’re shifting from place to put. 

Right here’s find out how to make an SOS name on an iPhone 8 or later: 

Press and maintain the facet button and one of many quantity buttons. The Emergency SOS slider will seem.  

Drag the slider to name emergency providers. You can too proceed to carry the facet button and a quantity button. As soon as the countdown ends, your cellphone will name emergency providers. 

Word: On an iPhone 7 or earlier, rapidly press the facet or high button 5 occasions to allow the emergency slider. 

Now that you understand how to make use of this characteristic let’s run by means of find out how to add emergency contacts.  

File photograph of an iPhone.
(AP)

Keep in mind, in the event you use the Emergency SOS characteristic, these contacts will obtain a message indicating you’re having an emergency. 

• Open the Well being app and faucet your profile image > Medical ID.
• Choose Edit, then scroll to Emergency Contacts.
• Faucet the Add button, then faucet a contact. Add their relationship.
• Hit Completed to substantiate your modifications.

 RELATED: Have children within the household? This app from the FBI might assist in an emergency 

You probably have an Android 

Android’s model of Emergency SOS works equally, although you must set it up forward of time. 

• Open the Settings app in your cellphone.
• Faucet Security & emergency > Emergency SOS.

From right here, you may customise what occurs if you use Emergency SOS. You’ve the choice to sound an alarm or keep silent, name an emergency variety of your selecting, share updates and site data along with your emergency contacts, and report a video. 

To entry Emergency SOS on an Android cellphone, rapidly press the ability button 5 occasions. 

On a Samsung cellphone, steps could fluctuate barely. If the tactic above doesn’t work, open Settings, search for Superior options, then faucet Ship SOS messages. From right here, you may select your emergency contacts. 

On this photograph illustration an Android brand seen displayed on a smartphone.
(Photograph Illustration by Rafael Henrique/SOPA Pictures/LightRocket by way of Getty Pictures)

On a Google Pixel and different variations of Android, here is find out how to add emergency contacts: 

• Open the Security app and register along with your Google account.
• You’ll be prompted so as to add emergency contacts. Scroll by means of or seek for a contact and faucet the identify to proceed.
• Subsequent, you may add medical info when you have not accomplished so.
• Faucet Completed to substantiate

Bonus Tip: How you can increase your tax refund this yr 

The IRS has new modifications together with the $600 rule, WFH deductions, little one tax credit and extra. On this episode, tax accountant Rachel Cheek and I dive into the numerous methods deductions, types, social media, and guidelines will impression your 2021 tax return. 

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Hearken to the podcast right here or wherever you get your podcasts. Simply seek for my final identify, “Komando.” 

What digital way of life questions do you will have? Name Kim’s nationwide radio present and faucet or click on right here to seek out it in your native radio station. You’ll be able to take heed to or watch The Kim Komando Present in your cellphone, pill, tv, or laptop. Or faucet or click on right here for Kim’s free podcasts. 

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Study all the newest know-how on The Kim Komando Present, the nation’s largest weekend radio discuss present. Kim takes calls and dispenses recommendation on immediately’s digital way of life, from smartphones and tablets to on-line privateness and knowledge hacks. For her every day ideas, free newsletters, and extra, go to her web site at Komando.com.