How to make a family emergency plan

In an emergency, people do not always think clearly, and phones may not work. A family emergency plan means everyone already knows what to do, where to go and who to contact. It takes about an hour to make and can save a lot of worry.

You do not need special forms. A sheet of paper per person works well. Keep it simple enough that a child could follow it.

Step 1: think about your risks

Think about what is most likely where you live. The UK government’s Be Ready site lists common hazards, such as:

• flooding
• storms
• cold weather, snow and ice
• heatwaves
• power cuts
• water supply interruptions
• fires in the home

Check your flood risk on GOV.UK. If you live near a river or the coast, flooding should be central to your plan.

Step 2: agree how you will stay in touch

• Write down key numbers on paper for each person: family members, a trusted neighbour, school, work, your GP and your insurer.
• Choose an out-of-area contact: a friend or relative who lives elsewhere. If local phone lines are busy, it can be easier to reach someone further away, and everyone can check in with them.
• Agree to text rather than call if networks are busy. Texts often get through when calls do not.
• Make sure everyone’s phone can receive emergency alerts.

Step 3: choose meeting places

Agree two places:

1. Near home: somewhere just outside, such as a neighbour’s front gate or the end of the road, in case you have to leave quickly (for example, a fire).
2. Further away: somewhere in your area, such as a relative’s house, a library or a place of worship, in case you cannot get home or your area is cut off.

Make sure everyone knows how to get to both.

Step 4: decide who does what

Agree who is responsible for:

• collecting children from school or nursery, and a backup if that person cannot get there
• checking on older relatives or neighbours who need help
• taking the grab bag and pets
• turning off gas, electricity and water if advised

Check your children’s school or nursery emergency arrangements and make sure they have up-to-date contact details and a list of who may collect your children.

Step 5: plan for people who need extra help

Think about anyone who:

• has a disability or a long-term health condition
• relies on medicines or medical equipment
• does not speak English well
• has young children or is pregnant

Write down their needs, their medicines and who supports them. Consider joining the Priority Services Register if they are eligible.

Step 6: plan for pets

Decide where pets could go if you had to leave, since many emergency shelters cannot take them. Keep a carrier, lead and a few days’ food ready.

Step 7: plan your home

Make sure the adults in your household know:

• where the gas meter, electricity fuse box and water stopcock are
• how to turn them off, and when it is safe to do so
• where your grab bag, torches and first aid kit are kept

Step 8: write it down and share it

Put the plan on a single page. Include:

• names and dates of birth of everyone in the household
• key phone numbers, including an out-of-area contact
• your two meeting places
• who collects whom
• medical needs and medicines
• pet arrangements
• where the stopcock, fuse box and gas meter are
• where your grab bag and important documents are kept

Give everyone a copy. Keep one in your grab bag, one by the phone or on the fridge, and one with a trusted person outside your home.

Step 9: practise

A plan you have never tried is easy to forget. Every so often:

• walk to your meeting places with children
• check everyone can find the torch and grab bag in the dark
• test that everyone knows how to reach the out-of-area contact

Step 10: keep it up to date

Review your plan every 6 months, or when something changes: a new home, school, job, baby or pet. Our Home Preparedness Score is a quick way to check how ready your household is.

Talking to children about it

Keep it calm and practical. Explain that emergencies are rare, that the plan is like a fire drill, and that it means everyone will know what to do. Give children a simple job, such as checking the torch or packing their comfort toy, so they feel involved.

Sources and further reading

• Be ready for emergencies (UK Government)
• Be informed about hazards (UK Government)
• Check for flooding (GOV.UK)
• About Emergency Alerts (GOV.UK)