It’s no secret that life is full of surprises.
You never know what’s going to happen when, so it’s best to be prepared for when a worst-case scenario hits you in the gut when you least expect it.
If you’re living away from home, you’ll have to deal with problem-solving yourself since Mom and Dad are miles away. Because of this, you’ll want to make sure you have the the following numbers in your contacts list to prepare for the unexpected.
1. Law enforcement
Well, you may be thinking that 911 is an obvious response to a situation involving a crime, but dialing 911 might not be appropriate in all situations. Sometimes you may need to report a non-emergency that you’ll still need law enforcement’s help with. Find out which law enforcement agency is most appropriate for you to call with non-emergencies and add its number. If your apartment complex has a courtesy officer, make sure to add that number, too.
2. Health center/doctor
When you’re feeling lousy, the last thing you want to do is get up and go somewhere, but you’re better off going to the doctor if you’re feeling really sick. You’ll be more likely to call and make an appointment if the number is already in your phone. But sometimes getting sick doesn’t fall into 9-to-5 hours, so make sure you also have the phone number of an office you can go to on the weekends or after hours that is covered by your insurance.
3. Landlord/housing
While this may seem like a no-brainer, you’d be amazed how many people don’t have this number saved in their phones! When dealing with a housing emergency like flooding or getting locked out, time is of the essence, so you don’t want to spend the extra minutes looking up a number. Most apartment complexes have an emergency maintenance number you can call after the office is closed for the day. If you’re living in the dorm, ask your RA which number is best for you to call if you encounter a housing emergency.
4. Car insurance
We never want to get involved in a car accident, but it does happen, so it’s best to already have the number in your phone in case it does. Find out if your insurance company offers any sort of roadside assistance. You may be eligible for a service that can come to you and help, so make sure you’ve got that number saved as well.
5. Bank
It’s never fun to find out that your debit/credit card has been hacked or to report that you’ve lost a card. Some banks have different numbers for different situations, which will help you avoid the oh-so-frustrating automated phone system. Figure out the numbers you’re most likely going to need and add them!
Also, don’t forget to store important numbers in a place other than your phone!
In the case that your phone gets stolen or breaks, make sure you have the numbers you need saved elsewhere. Since most of us don’t memorize numbers anymore, the numbers you need to have include not only the numbers listed above, but also your immediate family and your roommate(s).
