Your family may not be together when an emergency happens, so it is important to plan in advance how you will contact one another and how you will get back together.
Download emergency contact cards and plans and fill them out with your family
FEMA's Ready.gov: Family Emergency Plans for Kids and Parents
Prepare yourself and your family for a disaster by making an emergency plan. Download the Family Communication Plan for Parents and Kids, print the pages and fill them in offline.
American Red Cross: Family Emergency Contact Cards
Print out a card for every member of your household. Fill in a card for each family member with emergency contact information (work, school and cell phone numbers etc.) Fold to fit in pocket, wallet or purse and carry card in case of any emergency.
Let someone know you're okay, or check on a loved one
American Red Cross; Safe and Well (safeandwell.org)
An Internet-based tool where people within a disaster affected area can register themselves as "safe and well" and concerned family and friends can search for messages posted by those who have registered. Share the site with your family including phone number 1-866-GET-INFO to register if no Internet access.
Get emergency information on your smartphone
American Red Cross Mobile Apps
These mobile apps are for emergencies and everyday use. The "Emergency" "all-inclusive" app lets you receive more than 35 different severe weather and emergency alerts, to help keep you and your loved ones safe. For Apple or Android.
FEMA: Download Mobile App
From this page you can download FEMA's mobile app for Android, Apple or Blackberry mobile devices. Features timely weather alerts you can customize for your area, as well as preparedness and other information.
Find a wealth of resources from these partners
American Red Cross: Prepare for Emergencies
Become "Red Cross Ready" for an emergency means following simple steps in advance to ensure you can weather a crisis safely and comfortably.
FEMA's Ready.gov
A wealth of information for emergency planning and safety for families, businesses and more.
FEMA's Ready.gov: Emergency Planning Checklists
Includes family emergency plans, communications plans, pet emergency plans and more. Create plans with your family and make sure everyone has a copy.
US CDC: Emergency Preparedness and You
You can take steps now to help you prepare for an emergency and cope if an emergency happens. To help you prepare, CDC has provided step-by-step actions you can take beforehand to protect yourself and your loved ones.