Crisis-Ready Society
Foundations

Family emergency plan

Emergencies often strike when family members are in different places and phones do not work. A simple written plan tells everyone how to reach each other, where to meet and who does what.

Foundation for every scenario
In the UAEWrite the UAE emergency numbers on your paper contact list: 999 police, 998 ambulance, 997 civil defence.[6]

Prepare

  • Talk together about the emergencies most likely where you live, work and study.[1]
  • Choose two meeting places: one just outside home, one outside your neighbourhood.[1]
  • Pick one out-of-area contact that every family member will reach.[2]
  • Write key phone numbers on paper, as a dead phone means lost contacts.[3]
  • Give everyone a written copy and save the details on their phones.[4]
  • Plan a main and a backup exit from each room, and more than one route out of the area.[2]
  • Give each person a role, and include pets, older relatives and anyone with extra needs.[1]
  • Make sure schools and childcare have your current contact numbers.[5]

Use and maintain

  • Send text messages instead of calling, to keep phone lines free.[4]
  • Contact your agreed out-of-area person to share where you are.[2]
  • Go to your agreed meeting point if you cannot get home or reach each other.[3]
  • Check on neighbours who may need help, especially during power cuts.[5]

Review and restock

  • Practise evacuating, including grabbing your kit, twice a year.[1]
  • Hold regular household meetings to review the plan.[4]
  • Review the plan yearly and update contact details.[2]
  • Keep copies of the plan with your kit, in the car, at work and online.[2]

Watch

Short how-to videos for this topic are being added to our channel.
Watch Crisis-Ready Society on YouTube

Official sources

  1. American Red Cross: National Preparedness Month: How to Make Your Emergency Plan
  2. Get Prepared (Public Safety Canada): Your Emergency Preparedness Guide
  3. Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency (MCF): Access to communication during a crisis
  4. Ready.gov (FEMA): Make a Plan (Ready Kids)
  5. UK Government (Prepare): Get prepared for emergencies
  6. UAE Government Portal (u.ae): Handling emergencies

Steps are written in our own words from these pages. If advice from your local authority differs, follow your local authority.

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