Start with one out-of-area contact who lives in another city or state. In a big emergency, calls to nearby numbers can fail while a text, or a call to someone far away, still goes through.
Then add two local contacts who could come to the house, a neighbor who could walk over, and the local numbers you would otherwise have to search for. Write them on paper even though they are in your phones, since a phone can be dead or locked when someone needs it.
Who to list
- An out-of-area contact. Tell them they are on your list, so they know the job.
- Two local contacts, ideally with homes and jobs in different places from yours.
- A neighbor who could walk over, and what their house looks like.
- A babysitter or landlord, if that applies to you.
Numbers to look up once
- Emergency is 911. Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline takes calls and texts.
- Police and fire non-emergency lines.
- Your county emergency management office.
- The nearest hospital and urgent care.
Text first
- Phone networks can fill up when many people call at once, and a text often gets through when a call does not.
- Agree that everyone texts the out-of-area contact if the family group chat is not working.
- Keep the check-in message short, like "Safe at the neighbor's mailbox."
Free pages to print
Numbers to know
A blank single page you can print and fill in by hand.
Our people
A blank single page you can print and fill in by hand.
Family wallet card
Key contacts and meeting spots on a card that fits a wallet.
General information for families, not legal, medical or financial advice. In an emergency, follow local officials and call 911.
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