NORTH-CAROLIN– Severe weather or natural disasters almost always result in power outages for some of us. The blackout can last an hour or several days. And for most of us, the phone is our lifeline. It is also our primary means of communication for calling for help and checking on family members and neighbors.

ABC11 has put together a list of some tips to keep on hand in case severe weather hits your area.

Charge it before the storm comes

First things first: When a storm is forecast, it’s a good idea to fully charge your phone right away, especially if the storm may arrive overnight.

Use your laptop

A fully charged laptop can help keep your phone ready in an emergency situation. Be sure to fully charge it beforehand and connect your phone via USB.

Send SMS, don’t call

If possible, text instead of calling. A phone call can drain your phone’s battery faster, much faster than texting.

Charge it in your car

Most modern cars come with a USB port or power inverter. Most grocery stores, discount stores, and gas stations sell inexpensive USB ports that you can plug into your cigarette lighter, even if you have an older car or your car doesn’t have a USB port. If you charge your phone in the car, don’t do it in the garage. Leaving the engine running in an enclosed space for long periods of time can be extremely dangerous and even fatal.

Close these apps

Some apps use a lot of power. Closing these apps can save your battery. Other helpful tricks include reducing the screen brightness and turning off your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections.

Invest in external batteries and boosters

Most external batteries can charge your phone multiple times or even charge multiple devices at once, but they are useless if they are not charged beforehand. If you have an external battery, make sure it is charged before the storm.

SEE: How to make your phone battery last longer