The tool that lets people mark themselves as safe on Facebook during a crisis is getting some big upgrades.
Facebook announced on its official blog that Safety Check, which has reportedly been activated more than 600 times in the past two years, is getting new functions to make the feature even more useful.
First up: providing more details.
Facebook says users who are in an impacted area will now be able to add text with their Safety Check notification. This will let people share a bit more information with family and friends than just showcasing the safety marking.
And soon, the company says, fundraisers will also be an option.
Users will reportedly be able to raise money for a personal cause or donate to a charity through the Safety Check feature itself.
Another upgrade: crisis descriptions.
For people who may be nearby and don't know exactly what's happening, Facebook says it will be working with a global crisis reporting agency to provide more context when Safety Check is activated.
Finally, the company notes it's also expanding Community Help to all platforms. People who want to offer their home or a ride during an emergency can now do so wherever the feature is live.
