Emergency, Ask John Walsh

Should I Have 911 On Speed Dial?

mobile phone

Mariah B: If I’m alone somewhere and I don’t feel safe, should I have a phone with 911 in memory so I just have to press a button? What about a flashlight?

JW: A cell phone can be an invaluable safety tool. At AMW, we often deal with cases in which cell phones have saved lives or helped catch criminals. But don’t let “911” give you a false sense of security. You make think it’s a universal SOS number, but in many rural areas, there’s no 911 system. So, better than 911, get the phone numbers of your local police and fire department programmed into your cell phone. As for a flashlight, that can certainly be helpful in an emergency. But a flashlight is not a self defense tool, so don’t rely on it for that.

9 Comments on "Should I Have 911 On Speed Dial?"



majm
August 10, 2007 at 1:44 pm

In addition to a cell phone, one should always have a source of power that does not rely on it having to be plugged in to a car lighter or a house outlet. If you feel unsure, nervous or scared, you should dial a friend or family member and keep them on the phone until you feel you are out of danger. Cell phones cannot give your current traveling location when you call 911, only landlines can and GPS takes a while to locate one — time that may determine life or death.



MELMORINE
August 12, 2007 at 3:24 pm

SHOULD I TRUST A PERSON WHO PROFFESES TO BE A MINESTER. YET USES TWO DREFFENT NAMES ONE AT HIS CHURCH OR LPACE OF WORSHEP. AND A DREFFENT NAME AT THE CONDO OR RESEDENT WHERE HE LIVES? MORE OVER AT HIS PLACE OF DWELLING THEY DONT KNOW HE IS A MINESTER BECAUS HE DOS NOT WANT THEM TO KNOW I FIND THIS TO BE VERY DISTURBING SINCE HE IS FROM ANOTHER STATE ONE OF WISH HE IS NOT CONSISTANT WITH SOME TIMES HE IS FROM OCOLOMIA SOME TIMES HE IS FFOM TEXAS. PLEASE EXCUSED MY SUSPECIOSE BUT MANY PEOPLE COME TO OUR STATE FROM OTHERS ONLY TO DO EVELE AND CUNNING YTHINGS.



correna willuweit
August 16, 2007 at 2:24 pm

heck i got our local pd on speed dial it seems to help.i dont think its that big of deal.That might be ur comfort zone only u know this.



cristina
August 21, 2007 at 5:15 pm

john i think it is great to have a safty center



Dominica Lanzaderas
August 26, 2007 at 8:49 am

August 25, 2007-8:42 AM from Canada John.I love what you’re doing so, take care co’z i don’t wanna miss you on TV.



Kasandra
October 9, 2007 at 10:21 am

Whenever I go some place new or different (or even if I am meeting a new client after-hours somewhere), I use a free service called Eve’s Log to keep track of my activities. If I don’t check back in, my contact (whomever I pick) is notified of where I went, who I went with, and when I should have been back. It’s like leaving a trail.



cascade
February 5, 2008 at 7:59 pm

We have a tracphone with 911 in the memory, but also the non-emergency number and also our local number for animal control. We carry a flashlight at times, but try to stay away from night trips, more crime after dark. It does not hurt at all to have several close friend’s numbers or family numbers in memory as well,just in case of emergencies. Your best help ,can be yourself. Learn road safety, how you walk and present yourself matters greatly. Information is always available at our local police dept. reception area. The public library has a lot of books on staying safe in all situations.(as safe as possibly can). Knowledge is power, a weapon carried can easily be turned on you. Also we use a calling system with friends and or family during scarey times. We tell each other when we are leaving when we should be back ,which ways we are taking. A cell phone or trac phone helps A LOT during these times. Good luck.



cascade
February 19, 2008 at 11:48 pm

Please one thing, we just thought of today. It would be easier for us to just dial 911 on our trac phone. pushing up search, then the number, would waste time. All I know is that when we are out and about,and even at home, our phones are always ready. Cordless and grounded in case of lights going out (I’m not ashamed to still be a dinosaur concerning technology.) Also, please always remember to keep phones recharged. Some bad people had tapped into our lines for a while, we would lose power or over hear drug deals “yuk” a bad” very few days”. We were allowed to use the phone at a very beloved place to have an investigation done on our lines. DON’T Stop using your rights.Bad people get off on fear, Please remember you have a lot more rights then they do because you are still legal in your life and actions. Easier said then done sometimes. but still don’t stop using,and adoring your rights as a citizen. God bless. ALWAYS PRAYING!



Carol S. Nixon
July 22, 2008 at 10:09 am

John Walsh
Thank you so much for this site. Some intereresting and valuable perspectives on saftey and sratigies to increase the likelyhood of surviving the potential dangers that face everyone is encouraging and could save many lives.

Carol in Fl.



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