Preparedness guide
How to make a family emergency plan
Decide how your household will communicate, meet, evacuate and support people with additional needs.
Choose contacts, two meeting places and more than one communication method. Record the plan, share it and practise it together.
Choose your contacts
Select a local contact and an out-of-area contact. Make sure every household member can reach or identify them.
- Local contact
- Out-of-area contact
- School and care contacts
- Veterinary contact
Choose meeting points
Pick one place close to home and another outside the immediate area. Account for school, work, transport and accessibility needs.
Practise the plan
Walk the routes, test the contact method and update the plan after moving, changing schools or adding a household member.
Primary sources
Use the latest local guidance where it is stricter or more specific than this general starting point.
Preparedness information only. Follow emergency services, public-health authorities and qualified professionals for urgent or individual advice.