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About 5 minutes · 3 questions

Make a family contact card

Create a private paper card that helps your household reconnect if you are separated.

Make the plan

  1. Ask a friend or relative outside your area if they would be your contact. Write their name and number on each card.
  2. Choose one meeting place just outside your home for a sudden emergency and another outside your neighborhood if you cannot return. Agree on alternatives appropriate to your household and follow local safety instructions.
  3. Add household numbers and any school or caregiver contact your household needs. Agree who will contact whom.
  4. Give each person a paper copy to keep privately in a wallet, bag, or other safe place. Review it together when numbers or plans change.

Example

“If we’re apart, contact Aunt Maya in another town. Meet by the large tree across from home if it’s safe. If we can’t return to the neighborhood, we’ll use the library we agreed on outside it, provided it’s safe to go there.” Add actual numbers and addresses to your own private card.

Do this offline

Write a card, confirm your contact and meeting places with everyone, and make private paper copies. If service is available in an emergency, send a brief text such as “Safe at library.” If a text doesn’t go through, follow the meeting plan when safe. If you live alone, practice with a trusted friend.

Download the printable worksheet (PDF)

Ask how families will get reunification or shelter instructions (optional)

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About 5 minutes · 3 questions

Check in during an outage

Offer a voluntary check-in that respects a neighbor’s wishes and your own safety.

Offer, don’t assume

  1. Before an outage, ask a neighbor whether they would welcome a check-in, how they prefer to be contacted, and what information they want to share. Either person can decline.
  2. During an outage, check official local instructions and immediate hazards first. Do not enter unsafe buildings or approach downed power lines. Stay away and report hazards to the utility or emergency services.
  3. If it is safe and consistent with your agreement, knock or use the agreed method. Ask, “How are you doing? Is there something you’d like help with?” Respect a no and their privacy.
  4. Offer only help you can safely provide. For immediate danger or a medical emergency, call 911 in the U.S. from a safe place. If there is no response and you are concerned, seek appropriate local help.

Example

Before a storm, Lee asks Sam, “If the power goes out and it’s safe to walk over, would you like me to knock?” Sam agrees but prefers not to share medical details. Later, Lee checks for hazards, knocks, and asks whether Sam wants any help.

Do this offline

Ask one neighbor if they want a mutual check-in plan. Agree on a safe way to contact each other and what to do if either person cannot respond. Keep any shared details private.

Download the printable worksheet (PDF)

Ask about accessible shelters and transportation (optional)

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About 5 minutes · 3 questions

Build a three-day no-cook pantry

Assemble three days of shelf-stable food and water that your household can use without cooking.

Build around your household

  1. Plan at least one gallon of water per person per day for drinking and sanitation. Allow extra for heat, individual needs and pets. Store a three-day supply, and follow local guidance if more is needed.
  2. Choose ready-to-eat, shelf-stable foods you already eat, such as canned beans, fruit, nut or seed butter, crackers, and ready-to-eat canned fish. Account for allergies, dietary needs, infants, and pets.
  3. Pack a manual can opener, utensils, and any needed feeding supplies. Choose portions that can be eaten safely after opening without relying on refrigeration.
  4. Label dates, check packaging and expiration dates regularly, and rotate supplies into everyday meals. Replace used or damaged items.

Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed during an outage. An unopened refrigerator keeps food cold for about four hours. Use the FoodSafety.gov chart below to decide what to discard. Never taste food to test its safety.

One person’s menu for a day

Along with drinking water, set aside oatmeal bars and fruit cups for breakfast, crackers with nut butter for lunch, and ready-to-eat beans for dinner. Pack a manual can opener. Adjust portions and choices to the person’s needs. Repeat and vary across three days.

Do this offline

Five-minute pantry check. Choose one ready-to-eat meal from your shelf. Set out the opener, utensils, and water you’d need. Write down one thing to change before an outage.

Write a three-day menu for everyone in your household, count the water, and gather one missing item at a time. Check that each food can be eaten as stored and opened without power.

Download the printable worksheet (PDF)

Ask how emergency food and water will reach residents (optional)

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Printable worksheets

Print a worksheet and put your plan into practice. The PDF works offline.

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Ask your officials

Find the office responsible for an emergency service, draft a specific request, and keep track of what happens.

For immediate danger in the U.S., call 911.

Offline edition. Drafting and the request log work here. Reopen the official directories when you have internet access.

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Official resources

These links need an internet connection. The lessons and quizzes above work offline.

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