Dad’s Simple Family Emergency Preparedness Plan — Quick, Practical Steps

You can build a simple, solid family plan in about an hour. Follow this guide to make a one-page plan, a compact communication sheet, and a 72-hour kit checklist with add-ons for infants and pets. You’ll finish with clear roles, meeting points, and a drill schedule you can actually keep.

Why every family needs a simple emergency plan (quick win)

Disasters are confusing. A short plan reduces panic and saves time. You don’t need a binder—one clear page and a basic kit will cover most family situations.

Common gaps are predictable: no shared meeting place, no out-of-area contact, missing meds, and forgotten pet supplies. We fix those first. Use federal templates to speed the process and keep it standard. Ready.gov and the Red Cross publish plain-language checklists and a fillable family communication plan PDF.

Success looks like: one page that says who does what, where you meet, how you contact each other, and a small kit ready to grab. That’s enough to get your family moving in the right direction.

Next action: Block 60 minutes on your calendar and commit to finishing a one-page plan tonight.

First steps: build an actionable family plan you can finish tonight

Start with three steps. Keep it short and clear.

1) Identify people and roles

• List each household member, ages, and special needs
• Assign who grabs the go-bags, who handles infants/pets, and who calls the out-of-area contact

2) Choose meeting points

• Primary: near home (e.g., a neighbor’s front sidewalk)
• Secondary: outside your neighborhood (e.g., a library or relative’s house). Write the full address

3) Record alerts and routes

• Note how you’ll receive local alerts on phone and radio
• Sketch your evacuation routes. Renters: mark stairs, exits, and a rally spot outside your building. Homeowners: map two ways out of the neighborhood

Store the plan where everyone can find it: a printed copy on the fridge, a wallet card, a phone screenshot, and a cloud copy. Share it with caregivers and nearby family.

Next action: Write your two meeting points with full addresses and text them to the family group tonight.

Make a short, fillable plan (template and worksheet)

Use a one-page template to speed this up. The FEMA family communication plan PDF covers the basics and prints well.

Fill in these prompts:

• Household name and address
• Emergency contacts:
• Local contact (name, phone, relationship)
• Out-of-area contact (name, phone, relationship). Tell everyone to text this person if local lines are busy
• Meeting points:
• Primary (near home) with exact address/landmark
• Secondary (out of area) with exact address
• Responsibilities during evacuation:
• Who grabs the family go-bag(s) and water
• Who secures infants’ bag and sleep/comfort items
• Who crates or leashes pets and carries the pet kit

Print two copies: one for the fridge and one folded into your main go-bag.

Assign roles, routes, and simple decision rules

Assign roles now so you aren’t negotiating later. Example:

• Parent A: grab go-bags, water, documents folder
• Parent B: buckle baby, grab infant bag, secure pet
• Older child: put shoes on, grab small personal bag, meet at mailboxes

Simple decision rules:

• Shelter in place if officials say to stay indoors (severe storm, hazardous air). Close windows and doors; move to an interior room.
• Evacuate if told to leave or if you feel unsafe (fast-moving fire or rising water). Don’t wait for perfect information.

Routes:

• Renters: learn two exit routes, avoid elevators during fire, and meet outside at a set spot
• Homeowners: plan two ways out of the neighborhood and an alternate if one road floods

Practice each role once so everyone knows the drill.

Family communication plan: contacts, meeting points, and out-of-area contacts

When cell networks clog, short text messages often get through. Your plan should fit on a wallet card and a phone screen.

Build your contact list:

• Local contact (neighbor or nearby family)
• Out-of-area contact (relative in another city). Everyone texts this person with “I’m OK” and where they’re headed
• Emergency services and local non-emergency number
• Work and school contacts
• Physicians and pharmacy phone numbers. Note any medical conditions

Storage and backups:

• Print wallet cards for each adult and teen
• Post a full copy on the fridge
• Save a screenshot to each phone and a PDF in the cloud
• Teach kids how to use the out-of-area contact if they get separated

If networks are down:

• Try text first, then messaging apps when Wi‑Fi is available
• Use brief, standard messages: “Family Name, time, location, next step”

Next action: Create and distribute a wallet-size contact card to every family member and caregiver.

Emergency kit checklist — family, infant, and pet essentials

Aim for a simple 72-hour setup. Start with the basics, then add infant and pet items. Store kits by the main exit. If possible, keep a small duplicate kit in the car.

You don’t need to buy everything at once. Add one or two items per paycheck. Use low-cost substitutions (store-brand food, basic flashlights) and rotate pantry items you already eat.

Next action: Pack water, a flashlight, and a basic first-aid kit into one bag tonight, then build from there.

Family basics: the 72-hour kit

Prioritize items that keep you hydrated, informed, and safe.

• Water: 1 gallon per person per day for at least 3 days
• Food: shelf-stable meals and snacks your family will actually eat
• Light and power: flashlights or headlamps, extra batteries, and phone chargers (including a car charger)
• Radio: battery-powered or hand-crank emergency radio to get official updates
• First aid: small kit with bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain reliever, any family-specific items
• Tools: multi-tool or basic knife, duct tape, work gloves, whistle
• Hygiene: hand sanitizer, tissues, trash bags, modest toiletry kit
• Clothing: socks, layers, and a poncho per person
• Cash: small bills
• Copies of key documents in a waterproof pouch

Make a go-bag for each adult and older child. Add a lightweight “grab bag” for the baby and a compact pet kit.

Infant items: feeding, sleep, and comfort

Babies need routine. Pack enough for 3 days, plus a little extra.

• Feeding: formula and clean bottles, or pump parts and storage bags if breastfeeding. Include your feeding plan if water or power is limited
• Diapers and wipes: at least a 3-day supply, plus diaper cream and disposal bags
• Sleep and comfort: a clean blanket, pacifiers, and a small swaddle or wearable blanket
• Clothing: extra onesies, socks, hat
• Infant meds: labeled, with dosing tool and instructions

Pack these in a small, always-ready infant bag near the main exit.

Pet kit: what to pack and evacuation tips

Pets are family too. Many shelters require pets to be crated.

• Carrier or crate with ID tag; leash and harness
• Food and water: 3-day supply with bowls and a manual can opener if needed
• Medications and a simple pet medical record (copies of vaccinations and microchip info)
• Sanitation: waste bags, litter and tray for cats, paper towels
• Comfort item: small blanket or toy

Check pet-friendly hotels and local shelter policies ahead of time. Practice loading your pet into the carrier so evacuation is calmer.

Medications, medical devices, and securing important documents

Protecting meds and documents reduces stress during a move or shelter-in-place. Make a clear medication list and keep copies of prescriptions. For temperature-sensitive meds (insulin, certain injectors), plan safe storage and transport. Talk to your pharmacist or clinician about emergency refills and device needs.

Documents should be portable and protected. Use a waterproof folder for originals and keep scanned copies in an encrypted cloud account and on a labeled USB drive.

Next action: Create a one-page medication list and place it in your documents folder tonight.

Med list & quick pharmacy steps

Build a simple, complete list:

• Patient name and date of birth
• Each medication: name, dose, schedule, and reason
• Prescriber name and phone
• Pharmacy name, address, and phone
• Last refill date and remaining refills

Take clear photos of each medication label. Save the images with your plan and in the cloud. Ask your pharmacist about emergency refill rules in your area and the best way to keep temperature-sensitive meds safe if power is out (cooler with cold packs, safe storage time, etc.).

Documents: what to keep and where

Prioritize documents you may need to identify, treat, travel, or re-enter services:

• IDs and passports; birth certificates and Social Security cards
• Health and prescription insurance cards; vaccination records (family and pets)
• Property, lease, or mortgage documents; vehicle title/registration
• Emergency contacts, medication list, and copies of prescriptions

Store originals in a waterproof, portable folder near your go-bag. Keep encrypted digital copies in a reputable cloud account and on a password-protected USB. Consider leaving copies with a trusted out-of-area relative.

Practice makes ready: drills, frequency, and common beginner mistakes

Short, regular practice makes plans real. Do a 5-minute home fire drill every three months. Pick a weekend and practice getting everyone to the primary meeting spot. Twice a year, run a tabletop review around the kitchen table: walk through what you’d do for a fire, flood, storm, or quake. Check go-bags and swap expired items at the same time.

Make it kid-friendly. Use simple phrases, assign a helper job, and keep it positive. Practice with pets so carriers and leashes feel normal.

Avoid these common mistakes:

• Plan lives in a drawer. Fix: post it on the fridge and share it digitally
• No pet practice. Fix: do a two-minute carrier drill
• Unclear roles. Fix: write names next to tasks on the plan
• Kits too heavy. Fix: split weight across bags and trim extras

Next action: Schedule a 10-minute fire drill for this weekend and set a 6-month calendar reminder to review your plan.

Tailor your plan to local hazards (fire, flood, quake, severe weather)

Add short “if X, then do Y” bullets to your plan for your top two or three risks. Check your city or county site for local hazards and alert systems. Know the difference between sheltering in place and evacuating, and what will trigger each choice.

Home mitigation goes a long way: secure tall furniture in quake zones, know where your gas and water shut-off valves are, and keep gutters clear in fire-prone areas. Learn how local alerts arrive on your phone and radio.

Next action: Pick your top two local hazards and write one action line for each on your plan.

Earthquake basics: quick home fixes and family actions

Practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” with the whole family. Secure bookshelves, TVs, and water heaters. Keep sturdy shoes under the bed to protect feet from broken glass. After shaking stops, expect aftershocks. Meet at your outside spot, do a headcount, and check for gas leaks before re-entering.

Severe weather & flooding: when to shelter or evacuate

Follow official weather alerts. Shelter in an interior room for severe storms. If water is rising or flood warnings are issued for your area, move to higher ground and avoid driving through water. Charge phones early, keep a power bank ready, and know the safest room in your home.

Home fire: escape routes and small mitigation steps

Plan two ways out of every sleeping room. Test smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries as needed. Keep hallways clear. Sleep with bedroom doors closed to slow fire spread. Practice a nighttime escape: shoes on, grab the small door-side bag, meet at the mailbox.

Low-cost, high-impact preparedness tips and where to get help

You don’t need to buy everything at once. Use these budget moves:

• Buy one kit item per pay period (water this week, flashlight next week)
• Rotate pantry food into regular meals to avoid waste
• Use store brands and simple gear; skip expensive gadgets you won’t use
• Build a small car kit from duplicates: water, snacks, flashlight, blanket

Get reputable help:

• Ready.gov has step-by-step plan and kit checklists
• The American Red Cross offers family planning tips and drills
• Local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) programs provide free or low-cost training and neighborhood resources
• Sign up for local emergency alerts through your city or county

Quick wins checklist:

• Get the free family-plan PDF and fill it out
• Print the family kit checklist and tape it to your fridge
• Assemble one go-bag and run a 10-minute fire drill this weekend
• Share your plan with caregivers and your out-of-area contact

Next action: Download the plan template, print the kit checklist, and add one item to your go-bag today.

Notes & disclaimers

• This guide provides general preparedness steps and is not a substitute for professional medical, legal, or insurance advice
• Check local authorities for the most current evacuation and shelter-in-place instructions. Local shelter policies (including pet rules) vary by jurisdiction
• For medication or device-specific guidance (insulin pumps, oxygen concentrators), consult the device manufacturer or a medical professional

Next action: Review these notes with your family and add any needed medical or local-policy details to your plan.