Stay Connected When It Matters Most

Chosen theme: Staying Connected: Emergency Contacts and Supporting Resources. Build a reliable safety net before you need it—clear contacts, simple plans, and supportive communities that help you reach the right people, fast. Subscribe for practical checklists and monthly preparedness prompts.

Build a Trusted Emergency Contact List

Include family, nearby neighbors, an out‑of‑area friend, your primary care provider, pharmacy, school or campus office, workplace security, pet sitter, and utility emergency lines. Prioritize people who actually answer quickly, not just familiar names.

Build a Trusted Emergency Contact List

Review monthly. Add full names, roles, relationships, and multiple numbers. Note alt channels like email, text, WhatsApp, radio club call sign, or pager. Mark primary and backup contacts so others can act without hesitation.

Communication Plans That Actually Work

Texts often succeed when calls fail because they use less bandwidth and can queue. Agree to text short updates first: location, condition, needs. Keep messages concise and avoid group spam during the first critical minutes.

Digital Tools and Settings That Help

Enable Emergency SOS and Location Sharing

Configure Emergency SOS on your device to quickly alert contacts with your location. Pre‑approve location sharing with trusted people. Teach family members exactly which buttons to press and practice calmly once, then again next month.

Alerts, Offline Maps, and Essential Apps

Install local alert apps, weather warnings, and official safety notifications. Save offline maps for your city and commute routes. Consider first‑aid guides and disaster tips that work without internet, reducing reliance on live connections.

Battery Savers and Privacy Balance

Turn on low‑power mode early, dim the screen, and close energy‑heavy apps. Share location only with trusted contacts. Revisit app permissions quarterly so critical alerts can break through without exposing unnecessary personal data.

Supporting Resources in Your Community

Compile your local emergency, non‑emergency police, mental health crisis, domestic violence, and poison information lines. In some regions, services like 911, 988, and 211 exist—find your local equivalents and save them under clear labels.

Supporting Resources in Your Community

Join community groups that organize check‑ins, share supplies, and verify information. Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) or similar programs offer training and radio support, creating reliable contact chains when power and networks struggle.

Supporting Resources in Your Community

Request safety policies, evacuation routes, and security numbers. Program campus escort services and building managers into your phone. Encourage colleagues to adopt shared contact lists, strengthening support beyond individual departments or classrooms.

Children and Teens

Give kids a laminated contact card, teach them to text short facts, and agree on a code word. Confirm school pickup permissions and backups. Practice asking a trusted adult to call the designated out‑of‑area contact if needed.

Older Adults and Caregivers

Create a concise sheet with medications, health notes, and primary contacts on the fridge. Enable medical alerts or fall detection. Schedule weekly test calls and share a simple instruction page so helpers can step in confidently.

Travelers and Remote Workers

Before trips, list local emergency numbers, embassy contacts, and hotel details. Download offline files, maps, and copies of IDs. Carry a power bank and a small paper contact list in case devices fail or roaming blocks calls.

Practice, Share, and Stay Engaged

Monthly Five‑Minute Drill

Set a calendar reminder to test ICE info, SOS settings, and texting plans. Rotate who initiates the drill so everyone knows their role. Share a quick reflection in the comments to inspire our community.

Create and Exchange Contact Cards

Print simple cards for family and neighbors. Swap them during a casual meet‑up, and verify the details by placing a short check‑in text. Encourage friends to subscribe for templates and regular refresh prompts.

Tell Us What Worked

Your experience teaches others. Comment with a tip, a saved‑the‑day story, or a question about setting up resources. Subscribe for future guides, and invite a friend who needs a gentle nudge to get prepared.