Daily life in the US is not like being in an extreme Hollywood crime or disaster movie. But it helps to be prepared. The tips below do not address every safety situation, and conditions can vary widely by location. Most importantly, follow the guidelines of your local, state, and federal government officials. 

EMERGENCY NUMBERS FOR YOUR CELL PHONE

• Call 911 for emergencies like a fire, crime (especially if in progress), car crash (especially if someone is injured), and medical emergency (especially for symptoms that require immediate medical attention) according to 911.gov. More information on Calling or Texting 911 and Frequently Asked 911 Questions  
• 800-222-1222 for poison control More information at poison.org
• 800-273-8255 for suicide prevention More information online​ 
• From a landline you may have to dial 1 before calling a 10-digit long-distance number 
• Campus security/police and local emergency numbers
• Your school's international student office for immigration, academic, financial aid, and other needs
• Your personal emergency contacts, including some people in your town/city or at least in the US
  • Consider listing them as ICE (In Case of Emergency) contacts in case a friend or emergency worker is trying to find them in your phone
  • Consider adding your emergency information to your phone's lock screen​

WEATHER AND ENVIRONMENT

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) information from the CDC
• Know the name of the county you are in along with the county's shape and location on a map. Many warnings are just for certain counties.
• Weather warnings from the National Weather Service. The words "watch," "advisory," and "warning" have very specific meanings. Warnings are the most severe and may require you to take immediate action.
  • Tornado warnings - The US typically has more tornadoes each year than all other countries combined. If a tornado warning is issued for your county or you hear tornado sirens, find safe shelter right away and follow these instructions. 

BE PREPARED

Ready.gov has lots of information including getting emergency alerts, which supplies to have available, and preparation for many types of severe weather.

CRIME

Contact or visit the website of your international student office, campus safety/security office, or local police/government to find crime prevention advice for your location. Here is an example from Sacramento. If you call police or campus security, be sure to use a non-emergency number unless it is an emergency.

What did we miss? What other questions do you have?