Smartphones Can Help Customers Prepare for Severe Weather
U.S. Cellular Provides Tips for Virginia Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday May 25-31
The 2011 Atlantic hurricane season produced a total of 19 tropical storms of which seven became hurricanes, including four major hurricanes. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) called 2011 the third-highest total since records began in 1851 and was well above the average of 11. In August 2011, Hurricane Irene caused several deaths in Virginia, which also sustained the second-largest power outage in state history.
With hurricane and flood season just around the corner, you can get ready for severe weather now and save money too. Stock up on supplies during the Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday in Virginia which takes place May 25–31. During this holiday, shoppers can save taxes on cellphone batteries, chargers and many other items for their family emergency supply kit. A full list of tax exempt items can be found at www.tax.virginia.gov or for more information visit ReadyVirginia.gov.
In addition, people turn to smartphones in an effort to keep up with changing weather conditions. A recent survey commissioned by CTIA, the International Association for the Wireless Telecommunications Industry, indicated that 32 percent of women said checking the weather is a function they used to perform on a computer that they now almost solely fulfill on their mobile devices.
“During threatening weather conditions, smartphones give you fast access to a host of applications, internet sites and emergency information that can help keep you and your family safe and connected,” says Frank Jacquez, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in the Mid-Atlantic.
U.S. Cellular recommends the following tips and free applications when the skies threaten this spring and summer:
Stay charged up: Phones should be charged daily, so that customers have sufficient battery life when they need it. If driving, keep a car charger with you to recharge while on the go. If a battery starts to run out, U.S. Cellular customers can switch out a dead or dying battery for free at any U.S. Cellular store through the company’s Battery Swap program.
Have important numbers handy and back them up: Keep all the numbers for local emergency contacts and immediate family stored in a cell phone for easy access in an emergency. With U.S. Cellular’s free My Contacts Backup application, customers can safely store valuable contact information online for easy retrieval, even if the phone is lost or damaged beyond repair.
Break through with texting: If phone service is disrupted by a high volume of calls during a storm, try sending a text message. Text messages take up less bandwidth than calls and often work when phone service is disrupted.
Rely on your phone to access applications: There are many free applications in the Google Play – such as The Weather Channel, WeatherBug, GO Weather and AccuWeather – that can provide you with the tools you need to stay on top of severe weather.
Review your safety plan: If you have a severe weather safety plan, review it with your family. You should make sure everyone knows what to do if a tornado or severe thunderstorm strikes. Parents should know where everyone will be during the day and make it clear what to do if severe weather impacts your location. Families and businesses should practice a tornado drill at least once a year.
Remember 30/30 lightning safety rule: Go indoors if, after seeing lightning, you cannot count to 30 before hearing thunder. People should stay indoors for 30 minutes after they hear the last clap of thunder.
About U.S. Cellular
U.S. Cellular rewards its customers with unmatched benefits and industry-leading innovations designed to elevate the customer experience. The Chicago-based carrier has a strong line-up of cutting-edge devices that are all backed by its high-speed nationwide network that has the highest call quality of any national carrier. Currently, 25 percent of customers have access to 4G LTE speeds and 54 percent will have access by the end of 2012. U.S. Cellular was named a J.D. Power and Associates Customer Service Champion in 2012 for the second year in a row. To learn more about U.S. Cellular, visit one of its retail stores or uscellular.com. To get the latest news, promos and videos, connect with U.S. Cellular on Facebook.com/uscellular, Twitter.com/uscellular and YouTube.com/uscellularcorp.
The 2011 Atlantic hurricane season produced a total of 19 tropical storms of which seven became hurricanes, including four major hurricanes. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) called 2011 the third-highest total since records began in 1851 and was well above the average of 11. In August 2011, Hurricane Irene caused several deaths in Virginia, which also sustained the second-largest power outage in state history.With hurricane and flood season just around the corner, you can get ready for severe weather now and save money too. Stock up on supplies during the Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday in Virginia which takes place May 25–31. During this holiday, shoppers can save taxes on cellphone batteries, chargers and many other items for their family emergency supply kit. A full list of tax exempt items can be found at www.tax.virginia.gov or for more information visit ReadyVirginia.gov.
In addition, people turn to smartphones in an effort to keep up with changing weather conditions. A recent survey commissioned by CTIA, the International Association for the Wireless Telecommunications Industry, indicated that 32 percent of women said checking the weather is a function they used to perform on a computer that they now almost solely fulfill on their mobile devices.
“During threatening weather conditions, smartphones give you fast access to a host of applications, internet sites and emergency information that can help keep you and your family safe and connected,” says Frank Jacquez, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in the Mid-Atlantic.
U.S. Cellular recommends the following tips and free applications when the skies threaten this spring and summer:
Stay charged up: Phones should be charged daily, so that customers have sufficient battery life when they need it. If driving, keep a car charger with you to recharge while on the go. If a battery starts to run out, U.S. Cellular customers can switch out a dead or dying battery for free at any U.S. Cellular store through the company’s Battery Swap program.
Have important numbers handy and back them up: Keep all the numbers for local emergency contacts and immediate family stored in a cell phone for easy access in an emergency. With U.S. Cellular’s free My Contacts Backup application, customers can safely store valuable contact information online for easy retrieval, even if the phone is lost or damaged beyond repair.
Break through with texting: If phone service is disrupted by a high volume of calls during a storm, try sending a text message. Text messages take up less bandwidth than calls and often work when phone service is disrupted.
Rely on your phone to access applications: There are many free applications in the Google Play – such as The Weather Channel, WeatherBug, GO Weather and AccuWeather – that can provide you with the tools you need to stay on top of severe weather.
Review your safety plan: If you have a severe weather safety plan, review it with your family. You should make sure everyone knows what to do if a tornado or severe thunderstorm strikes. Parents should know where everyone will be during the day and make it clear what to do if severe weather impacts your location. Families and businesses should practice a tornado drill at least once a year.
Remember 30/30 lightning safety rule: Go indoors if, after seeing lightning, you cannot count to 30 before hearing thunder. People should stay indoors for 30 minutes after they hear the last clap of thunder.
About U.S. Cellular
U.S. Cellular rewards its customers with unmatched benefits and industry-leading innovations designed to elevate the customer experience. The Chicago-based carrier has a strong line-up of cutting-edge devices that are all backed by its high-speed nationwide network that has the highest call quality of any national carrier. Currently, 25 percent of customers have access to 4G LTE speeds and 54 percent will have access by the end of 2012. U.S. Cellular was named a J.D. Power and Associates Customer Service Champion in 2012 for the second year in a row. To learn more about U.S. Cellular, visit one of its retail stores or uscellular.com. To get the latest news, promos and videos, connect with U.S. Cellular on Facebook.com/uscellular, Twitter.com/uscellular and YouTube.com/uscellularcorp.
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