debcook

2008-09-11 20:43:16 

Mobile gadgets make living away from home easier. During this time of year there are many reasons that we could be forced to stay away from home for at least a short period of time. Storms, fires and even hospital stays could play havoc with one’s schedule.

Sometimes we do not have the luxury of time when heading out the door. Preparing ahead of time is the key.

Laptops should be charged to full capacity. If you have a spare battery you should keep it charged as well. An extra charging cable would be great. If you have one keep it in a bag that you could grab in a hurry.

TIP:  Use the same bag for storing charging cables and accessories all the time. When you are stressed and in a hurry you do not need anything extra to remember.

Cell phones need the same considerations. If you have a USB charging cable keep it in that grab bag as well. If necessary your cell phone can be charged from your laptop. Include contact information for anyone important to you in your cell phone. Also include contact information for your insurance agent, your supervisor at work and even your child’s teacher.

A digital camera may be important when documenting damage. Most cell phones have digital cameras built in. If your cell phone has an SD card slot use it. You may need extended storage abilities.

Backup devices save digital information. During a hectic situation your laptop could be damaged. The files on a portable backup device can be restored once your laptop is repaired or you may be able to access the files on a different computer. Keep your backups up do date.

Portable power sources should be charged and ready incase they are needed in a hurry. My portable power supply has a powerful flash light, an FM radio, car battery cables and three electrical outlets. Even a portable power supply has to be charged once the power is drained so always have the AC adapter near by and easy to grab in a hurry. I keep the AC adapter cord wrapped around the handle when not in use.

TIP: A list with all of the important gadgets and accessories listed can speed up packing in a hurry.

Hopefully you will not have any disasters in the near future. It is just good policy to stay prepared for the unknown. What you do on a continual basis becomes a habit. Make your habits good ones.