If you’re over a certain age, you’ll remember when the only thing cell phones could do was make and receive phone calls – it almost sounds prehistoric, doesn’t it!  Today, we use them for just about everything. From browsing the Internet, staying connected with the world via social media, taking photos, listening to music and playing games.

Along with all of the amazing things we can do with our phones, we can still use them to make calls! Here are the top five most important numbers you should make sure you have in your contact list – tap them into your phone now and always be prepared, should something happen.

ICE (In Case of Emergency) – add ICE before the name of the person (or people) you’d want notified if something happens to you, for example: your parents, husband or wife, close friend or whoever you choose. Most hospital personnel and emergency response teams know to search your contacts for ICE numbers.

Home – If you have a home phone number, add it to your contacts list.  Should you lose your phone, the person who finds it will be able to get in touch and arrange to return it to you.  Emergency personnel also look for HOME numbers if there’s no response from your ICE contacts.

Police – It’s a good idea to have your local police number stored in your phone.  When faced with an emergency that requires police assistance, the last thing you want to do is forget, or have to try and remember, which number to call.

Insurance company − If you’re involved in an incident on the road, you will want to get in touch with your insurance company right away to let them know, and request roadside assistance or towing help, if you need it.   Indwe Risk Services contact centre number for claims and emergency assistance is: 0860 13 13 14 (put it into your phone now!).

Medical aid – Keeping your medical aid membership and account numbers stored in your phone, makes it quick and easy to request assistance.  And in the event of an emergency, get a rapid response team dispatched to you – very important when early medical treatment can often make all the difference.

Always remember….

Whilst our phones are packed with technology, and most GPS enabled phones younger than eight years old are able to reveal your location, the quickest way for someone to find you is for you to tell them where you are.   So when you make an emergency call, always give your location, the phone number you’re calling from, and a clear description of what’s happened.

Did you know that cell phones is one of the personal items that are most often lost or stolen?  Talk to Indwe Risk Services to get the right insurance for your personal needs.  Call us on 0860 13 13 14 or visit www.indwerisk.co.za for more information.