Cell Phone Best Practices
Cell phones have become a very important part of living throughout the past several years. They are used for business transactions, emails, texting, staying in touch with family members, and for leisure activities such as surfing the internet, to name a few. Parents are purchasing cell phones for their children at younger ages than ever. Laws have even been instituted, restricting usage in certain places.
We often forget about the dangers associated when using a cell phone. Here are a few safety tips to follow:
• Avoid text messaging while driving - Not only is texting while driving illegal in many states, it has also been identified as a leading cause of traffic accidents during the past several years. If you receive a text while driving, simply pull off the road when safe to do so to respond to the message.
• Avoid talking on your cell phone while driving - Pulling over at a rest stop or into a parking lot to talk on the phone is advised.
If you need to talk on the phone while driving, using a Bluetooth device can significantly reduce the likelihood of an accident. Talking in areas with less traffic is a better alternative than talking in congested areas.
• Use cell phones in appropriate places - Laws prohibit cell phone usage on airplanes and while pumping gas. Most schools do not allow cell phone usage on the premises by students. Make sure that your children are not bringing their cell phones to school.
• Keep cell phones away from your body when in use - Some recent reports suggest cell phones can cause cancer due to a
non-ionizing radiation being released while the phone is transmitting any data. Scientists recommend keeping cell phones at least
1- inch away from the body to avoid this radiation from coming into contact with any body parts.
• Keep a battery charger in the car, as well as in your home - Cell phones are great to have on hand in case of an emergency, but are not helpful if the battery is dead! Keeping a charger in your car and in your home will help ensure you don’t run into dead battery problems.
Choosing the right cell phone and provider can often be a very difficult process. Some things to take into consideration when
purchasing a cell phone include the pricing, the service plan price and features, area coverage and reception, and if a contract is required. Make sure that the plan you choose suits your needs appropriately and is within your budget prior to signing any contracts. Take the time to shop and discuss your needs with several providers.