Planning answers

The few decisions every family plan needs, from two ways out of each room to an out-of-area contact, with a free one-page plan to print.

An out-of-area contact, two local helpers, a neighbor and the numbers you look up once. Free numbers sheet and family wallet card to print.

The pages a family emergency binder needs, from people and medical details to papers and accounts, and what never to write in it.

The papers to track, where the originals and copies are, and where to ask for a replacement. Free important papers checklist to print.

Light, food, medicine, a safe room and generator safety for an outage that lasts more than an hour. Free power-out plan to print.

Two ways out of every room, working smoke alarms, one meeting spot outside and a named helper for each child. Free fire escape grid to print.

A close spot, a backup, one outside the neighborhood and one out of town, each tested with one simple question. Free meeting spots page to print.

Five grabs, two places to go, a main route and a real backup. What to settle before an evacuation order. Free leave-town plan to print.

Twice a year is a good rhythm. What to practice, what to update after a change, and how to keep a simple log.

Where to store the plan, what to share and what to keep private, and why paper still helps when a phone is locked.

An honest comparison. When free printable pages are enough, and when a bound, guided book is the easier way to finish.

The address to give 911, who to call in order, each child's allergies and bedtime, and where the flashlights are. Free babysitter sheet to print.

Conditions, medicines, allergies and who to call, on a card for a wallet or a bag. Free medical wallet card to print.

One short block per person, copied from the medicine bottles, plus a summary to hand to first responders. Free medical pages to print.

Match the school's pickup list, name an early-dismissal adult and plan for teens. Free kids and school page to print.

For single parents, travelers, deployed spouses and anyone who must report to work in an emergency. Free page to print.

Trash day, filter sizes, the water heater, the alarm company and the quirks only you know, written down for whoever keeps the house going.

Microchip, vet, medicines, food, a leash or carrier and who cares for them if you cannot. Free pets page to print.

Bring the plan up without scaring anyone. Give each child a job, practice with a light mood and teach the numbers that matter.

Know your evacuation zone, what watch and warning mean, and what to do before, during and after the storm. Free hurricanes guide.

Check the Air Quality Index, make one cleaner room, keep smoke from getting worse inside and know which masks work. Free wildfire smoke guide.

Car readiness, heating without carbon monoxide, signs of hypothermia and frostbite, and food safety if the power goes out. Free winter storms guide.

Check your flood risk and policy, choose high ground, turn around at flooded roads and clean up safely. Free floods guide.

Where you shelter, where the car goes, what to do on the road and how to protect your insurance claim. Free hail guide.

Pick a shelter spot now, know watch from warning, and what to do at home, in a car, a mobile home or at school. Free tornadoes guide.

Practice drop, cover and hold on, secure heavy things, know the gas rule and what to do near the coast. Free earthquakes guide.

Who is most at risk, what the alert words mean, signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and cars and pets. Free extreme heat guide.

What to do if officials say stay inside or leave, and how to clean off if you were exposed. Free chemical spills guide.