As we near the peak of hurricane season for 2023, most of our hurricane preparedness kits should be ready to go with supplies needed to survive the worst from bottled water to batteries and flashlights.  

However, many are not thinking about our first lifeline – our phones and electronic devices – keeping us connected to get the latest vital information.  

Consumer Reports released its advice to keep your electronic devices ready to go in a natural disaster.  

Among the items suggested to have on hand, CR says make sure a car charger or inverter is ready to go. When power outtages hit, a running car in a safe area can charge multiple devices through the day.  

As important, have a power strip so the family is not fighting over one wall outlet.  

And for keeping the little ones distracted in a tense situation, have a DVD reader that is compatible with your laptop or family computer.  

Lastly, never underestimate the power of a plastic sandwich baggy. CR says use the baggies to store smaller electronic items or power cables to keep them dry when moving through an emergency.  

When it comes to making sure you’re ready to go when disaster hits, Consumer Reports suggests listing and taking photos of all your electronic devices and their serial numbers. Doing so can help you keep track of what you’re brining and help you file claims faster later on.  

Keep those photos and your passwords safe in a document and/or password manager app, so you’re not worried about having to remember different passwords or numbers in an emergency situation.  

Back up your phone or tablet’s data to the cloud. An iCloud plan could cost you as little as a dollar a month to keep your information stored safely in the cloud. This way if you lose or break a device in an emergency, you’re able to get it back later on.  

Lastly, Consumer Reports says have a Digital Meet-Up plan in place for your family, the same way you would have a physical location to meet up. Designate a group chat in apps like Whatsapp or tell certain family members you’re only using Facebook or certain social media in the event of a hurricane or disaster so others can keep up with your status.  

And while you’re at it, assign a contact in as “In Case of Emergency” or “ICE” in your phone’s contacts app or Medical I.D. so if you’re in a dangerous situation an law enforcement or medical professionals need to get ahold of your loved ones.