A family emergency communication plan answers three questions before a crisis: how will everyone get reliable information, how will household members contact one another, and where will they meet if they are separated? Writing down a simple plan now can reduce confusion during a storm, evacuation, power failure, or other disruption.
You do not need an elaborate binder to begin. Create a one-page plan, share it with everyone who needs it, and practise it periodically. Adapt it to the hazards and emergency instructions in your own community.
1. Choose two meeting places
Pick one meeting point immediately outside your home for a sudden event such as a fire, and a second location outside your neighbourhood in case you cannot return home. Choose places that are easy to describe and that household members can reach safely. Identify an alternative in case a planned location is closed or affected by the same emergency.
Do not plan to enter a damaged building or travel through a hazardous area just to meet. Follow evacuation orders and instructions from local emergency officials.
2. Name an out-of-area contact
Choose a trusted friend or relative who lives far enough away that they may be outside the affected area. Each household member should know the contact’s name and phone number. If local phone networks are congested or unreliable, a person outside the area can help pass along short updates.
Agree on a simple check-in message, such as your name, current location, whether you are safe, and what help you need. Avoid sharing sensitive personal details publicly.
3. Write down essential contact details
Save important numbers in each phone, but also keep a paper copy in a wallet, school bag, work bag, or emergency kit. Phones can lose power, be damaged, or become unavailable. Include:
- Household members and their mobile numbers.
- The out-of-area contact and at least one local backup contact.
- Workplaces, schools, childcare providers, and other places where family members regularly spend time.
- Relevant medical contacts and the information a caregiver may need, stored securely.
- Your local emergency number and the official channel used for alerts in your area.
Give children and other household members an age-appropriate version they can understand and use.
4. Agree on how to communicate when networks are busy
Decide in advance whether your first check-in will be a text message, phone call, or another method available to everyone. A short text may be easier to send than a voice call when networks are congested, but no method is guaranteed to work. Choose a backup such as a landline, a trusted contact, or an agreed meeting point.
Do not assume social media posts will reach everyone or that a message has been read. Ask recipients to acknowledge important updates when they can. Keep messages brief and share information only with the people who need it.
5. Plan for children, older adults, pets, and access needs
Make the plan realistic for the people who will use it. Confirm who can collect children if normal pickup arrangements change and ensure schools or childcare providers have current authorized-contact information. Consider medication, mobility equipment, service animals, language needs, and anyone who may need help evacuating.
If household members spend time in different places, such as a workplace, campus, or another home, include those locations in the plan. Ask a trusted neighbour or support person what help they can realistically provide, and agree on arrangements before an emergency.
6. Keep key information available offline
Store a printed copy of the contact list and meeting places where household members can reach it. Keep phone batteries charged when severe weather or another known hazard is approaching, and consider a power bank if it is practical for your situation. Download official emergency information or maps for offline access when available.
Protect sensitive records. Do not leave copies of identity documents, medical details, passwords, or account information where strangers can easily access them. The communication plan needs contact information and instructions—not a list of passwords.
7. Practise the plan and update it
Set aside a few minutes to walk through a scenario: what if someone is at work, a child is at school, and the household cannot return home? Check whether everyone knows the meeting places, can find the contact list, and understands who should send updates. Practise any evacuation route when it is safe to do so.
Review the plan after a move, a change in school or work, a new phone number, or a change in health or mobility needs. Replace outdated paper copies and confirm that everyone still knows how to reach the out-of-area contact.
Use official guidance for your location
The Ready.gov planning resource offers guidance for making an emergency plan, while the American Red Cross plan guide includes household planning steps and printable resources. Follow local authorities for location-specific alerts, evacuation routes, and emergency instructions.
A one-page plan is a strong start
Write down the two meeting places, the out-of-area contact, the essential phone numbers, the preferred check-in method, and any special household needs. Share the plan, keep a paper copy, and practise it. A short plan that everyone understands is more useful than a detailed document no one can find when it matters.