How to mark yourself safe during Harvey

Facebook Safety Check, American Red Cross Safe and Well activated

HOUSTONFacebook Safety Check and the American Red Cross's Safe and Well function have been activated for Hurricane Harvey. Here’s what you need to know about these services to keep track of your family members and friends following this storm.

Facebook officials say if enough people post about an incident, the company activates Safety Check. The exact number of posts for when the company activates the function is not clear.  

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Here's how it works:

  • Facebook activates Safety Check, notifying people who may be impacted based on the city listed in your profile, your current location (if you give Facebook access to it), or other signals, such as your city where you use the Internet. 
  • You’ll be prompted to go to Safety Check to let your friends know you’re safe.
  • You can see which friends have marked themselves safe and invite more friends to go to Safety Check and find or give help.

Safety Check is often activated in situations involving specific crisis events, such as terrorism or natural disasters.

Go here for more information about Facebook Safety Check.

The American Red Cross has also activated the Safe and Well function. To mark yourself as safe and well, go to the website and click the button that corresponds to your situation, whether you are looking for someone or you would like to mark yourself as safe and well. 

To mark yourself safe, the American Red Cross asks for your information including your name, birthdate, location and status. 

These are the current status situations:  

I am safe and well.
Family and I are safe and well.
Currently at shelter.
Currently at home.
Currently at friend/family member/neighbor's house.
Currently at a hotel.
Will make phone calls when able.
Will email when able.
Will mail letter/postcard when able.
I am safe and in the process of evacuating.
I have evacuated and I am safe.
I am evacuating to a Shelter.
I am evacuating to the house of a family member/friend.
I am currently/remaining at home.