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Sit down together
Ask the questions the plan has to answer: how you get alerts, where you shelter, how you leave and how you reach each other. Note any needs like medicines, mobility, babies, pets or language.
Hour zero
Make a family emergency plan
Agree today where everyone meets and who they call, so a family spread across work, school and the road finds each other.
Time60 min
LevelEasy
Steps6
Official sources3
Disasters often strike when a family is spread across work, school and the road. A plan agreed in advance means everyone knows where to go and who to call.
What you need
Gather these before you start.
- Contact cards: 1 per person, laminated or in a zip bag
- Pen
- Phone
Step by step
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Pick a spot outside the house
Choose a fixed point near home for a fire, such as a neighbor's gate or a lamp post. Everyone goes there and waits to be counted.
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Pick a spot outside the neighborhood
Choose a second place in case you cannot get home, like a library, a relative's house or a place of worship. Check it is familiar and easy to reach from school and work.
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Name a contact far away
Choose a relative or friend in another town. When local lines are jammed, a call or text out of the area can work, and everyone checks in with that person.
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Make the cards
Write names, phone numbers, both meeting places, the out-of-town contact, medical needs and the children's school details on a card for each person. Put one in every wallet, school bag and the go-bags.
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Practice it
Walk to both meeting places once, and have each child say the contact's number from memory. Repeat the drill twice a year.
The numbers
| What | Amount |
|---|---|
| Meeting points | 2 |
| Out-of-town contact | 1 |
| Contact cards | 1 per person |
| Time to make the plan | 60 minutes |
| Drills | 2 a year |
| Plan review | 1 a year |
Ready.gov, Make a plan
Stay safe
- Teach children how and when to call emergency services.
When you're done
| Result | A written plan, two meeting points and a contact card in every pocket and bag. |
|---|---|
| Keep it ready | Update the cards when a number, school or job changes, and review the plan every year. |
Questions people ask
What should be included in a family emergency plan?
How you get alerts, where you shelter, how you leave and how you reach each other. Add two meeting places, one contact in another town and each person's medical needs.
How do you pick an emergency meeting place?
Pick two: a fixed spot near home for a fire, like a neighbor's gate, and a second place outside the neighborhood, like a library or a relative's house. Both must be familiar and easy to reach from school and work.
Why have an out-of-town contact?
When local lines are jammed, a call or text out of the area can still get through. Everyone checks in with that one person.
Sources
Related guides
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