Families may not be together when an emergency happens. Meet with your family and discuss how to prepare for different types of emergencies. Decide how you will communicate with each other. Who will be your out-of-town contact if local phones are affected?

FamilyCommCard1
Click to print your own cards.

Collect

Create a paper copy for your family of the contact information for other important people and office phone numbers for doctors, school and pertinent service providers.

Share

Make sure everyone carries a copy in a backpack, purse or wallet. (Use the card above to get started and make copies for everyone) Also post the information in a central location in your home on your refrigerator or family bulletin board.

Practice

Have regular household meetings to review and practice your plan.

Text Is Best

If you are using a mobile phone, a text message may get through when a phone call will not because a text message requires less bandwidth than a phone call. When service or capacity is maxed, messages will also save and then send automatically when service is available.

phoneinhand


Plan for Vulnerable Populations

Many families have members that need extra care and have specific needs to be considered in your disaster plan.

Older Americans

Do your family members have cell phones or other ways that you can communicate with them?

People with Disabilities

How will you let your family know what the plan is for reuniting? Can they get to a designated location on their own or do they need assista

Children

Do you have your daycare or school numbers available if you can't get to your children right away?