MetaChat - Today's lesson in disaster prepartion, courtesy my folks.

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10 December 2007

Today's lesson in disaster prepartion, courtesy my folks. I understand the desire to replace all of the separate phones connected to the land line with one of those fancy five-handset systems. However, it's probably a good idea...→[More:]to keep one regular phone around so that when the power gets cut off by an ice storm and all of the cell towers are maxed out your kids can still call in and check on you. I was raised by idjits!

For what it's worth, I did finally hear from them, and they're fine for the time being. Also spoke with my uncle who is doing fine as well. Everyone should be okay so long as the gas lines don't get cut off.

post by: ufez at: 17:52 | 9 comments

Ah yes. I was weighing this possibility the other day. Is peace of mind in an emergency worth $15 a month? I don't know. Probably, but $15 a month is still a lot of money.

posted by muddgirl 10 December | 18:25

Heh, that's the thing -- they actually still have a land-line, just not a phone that doesn't require electricity. I pointed out to my dad that he could go pick a cheap one up from the Walgreen's that's half a mile from their house. He said he'd consider it. /eyeroll.

posted by ufez 10 December | 18:39

Yeah, this is what keeps me from going completely cellular and forgetting the phone company entirely. I get and make so few calls that pay-as-you-go wireless covers all my needs for about $8.50 a month, but I just can't let go of the land line security.

posted by JanetLand 10 December | 19:40

(and yes, I know my cell still might work in an electricity-killing ice storm, but I can't BE SURE. :) )

posted by JanetLand 10 December | 19:41

I don't know why we don't have a land line, let alone an old style phone hooked to it. The BF works for a phone company and we can get one for free, no-frills of course. Maybe I'll bring it up to him again.

I guess it would also help our friends and family get us on the phone. Right now if anyone wants to get both/either of us on the phone, they have two cell phones to call.

posted by youngergirl44 10 December | 20:42

Yeah, in the interest of fair disclosure, we don't have a land line either. That said --

Just talked to my dad. He wound up going to Walgreens to buy a phone and had the awesome options of either a Hello Kitty phone or a Pirates of the Caribbean model. I had a good laugh picturing my nearly 61-year-old father talking into Johnny Depp's mug.

They're still sans power, as is a good hunk of the state (including some MeFite-friends of mine in OKC, who've I've only seen updates on Twitter from).

Best news is, though, my mom talked to my elderly and damn near disabled great-aunt in Stillwater, and she's okay and didn't lose power. I was mighty relieved to hear that.

posted by ufez 10 December | 22:38

Yeah, considering how many power outages we get here, I'm astounded that it's taken me this long to shell out the 10 bucks for a phone with a cord (my cell phone doesn't work at my home). *rolls eyes at herself*

Glad your folks and great-aunt are okay, ufez.

posted by elizard 10 December | 22:39

You got a corded phone, elizard? I'm happy to hear it.

posted by box 11 December | 01:30

We have a corded phone as well, just for emergencies. We lose power here a few times a year and it just makes sense.

posted by deborah 11 December | 17:26

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