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The likelihood of having a household emergency plan: understanding factors in the US context

Jason d. rivera.

Department of Political Science and Public Administration, SUNY Buffalo State, Buffalo, NY 14222 USA

Individual household emergency planning is the most fundamental and can be the least expensive way to prepare for natural disasters. However, despite government and nonprofit educational campaigns, many Americans still do not have a household plan. Using a national sample of Americans, this research observes factors that influence people’s likelihood of developing a household emergency plan. Based on the analysis, people’s efficacy in preparedness activities, previous exposure to disasters and preparedness information positively influence the likelihood that someone will have developed a household emergency plan. Alternatively, demographic variables such as being Hispanic/Latino, identifying as Asian, and being a renter decrease the likelihood that someone will have developed a plan in the American context.  But, the reason for these negative relationships are unclear. Subsequent to the analysis, recommendations for future research are provided to better understand observed relationships.

Introduction

Throughout the world, household disaster preparedness is viewed as the first step to reducing vulnerability to natural events. Within the USA, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Red Cross have historically attempted to encourage individuals to develop and maintain household emergency plans (Murphy et al. 2009 ). However, despite the historic and widespread effort, Kapucu ( 2008 ) maintains that most people do not actually prepare for disasters despite knowing that they should. Along these lines, Levac et al. ( 2012 ) argue that many people overestimate their capacity to deal with emergency situations, and predominately plan to rely on emergency relief services for assistance in the aftermath of an event. As a result, according to the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction for the Red Cross (Falkiner 2003 ), there is a general lack of household preparedness within the USA and Canada.

Because of this lack of preparedness, various studies have attempted to observe factors that contribute to individuals’ preparedness behaviors. Although a variety of studies (Diekman et al. 2007 ; Burke et al. 2010 ; Levac et al. 2012 ; Silver and Mathews 2017 ) have sought to observe what effects individuals’ stocking of supplies, household mitigation techniques, and information seeking, fewer have specifically attempted to investigate what effects the most basic form of disaster preparedness—the development of a household emergency plan. Household plans have been encouraged by a wide range of public, nonprofit and faith-based organizations because they require little to no upfront monetary investment due to their emphasis on household discussions and theorizing of hypothetical situations as opposed to investing in physical mitigation strategies. As such, this allows people from all socioeconomic levels to engage in this preparedness activity. However, despite the research that is available on what factors influence individuals to engage in this activity, people’s perceived efficacy surrounding this encouraged action has not been investigated at a national level (Lindell and Prater 2002 ; Murphy et al. 2009 ; Lindell et al. 2009 ; Bourque 2013 ).

Due to the increasing frequency and severity of a variety of natural disaster occurrences in the USA and throughout the world (i.e., hurricanes, flooding, wildfire, etc.) that interact with human systems (Burton et al. 1978 ; Oliver 1980 ; Peek and Mileti 2002 ), this study seeks to observe how people’s efficacy surrounding the development of a household emergency plan influences their decision to develop and discuss one with family members. Through the analysis of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMAs) 2018 National Household Survey, I observe that people’s efficacy has a significant effect on people having had developed a household emergency plan. Additionally, other factors that have been observed in the literature to effect such a decision are tested to observe their respective influences on this most fundamental preparedness behavior (Burke et al. 2010 ; Levac et al. 2012 ; Silver and Mathews Silver and Matthews 2017 ). Based on the results of this study, recommendations are provided as a means of enhancing people’s proclivity to engage in the development of household emergency plans, in addition to potential avenues for future research.

Factors effecting household emergency planning

According to Bourque ( 2013 ; see also Lindell 2013 ), there are a number of household characteristics that have been investigated as a means of understanding what influences individuals to prepare for disasters. One of these factors is self-efficacy. Bandura ( 1977 ) maintains that self-efficacy refers to one’s perception of how competent they are in organizing and completing actions needed to manage risks. Along these lines, individuals with a relatively high sense of self-efficacy in disaster preparedness believe that their actions specifically contribute to reducing their vulnerability and enhancing their recovery in the aftermath of a disaster. As such, several studies have observed that households are more likely to engage in emergency planning when they believe their actions will be helpful or beneficial to their survival (Lindell and Whitney 2000 ; Lindell and Prater 2002 ; Martin et al. 2007 , 2008 , 2009 ; Olympia et al. 2010 ). However, most of these studies have observed preparedness behaviors as a continuum of actions, that include household planning, structural mitigation techniques, information seeking, stockpiling of nonperishable goods, and developing an evacuation plan, but not specifically the sole action of developing a household emergency plan. Moreover, many of these studies have observed the effect of self-efficacy in relation to different types of disasters as opposed to populations in general. Although it is not argued that the development of a plan is where preparedness should end, it is the most fundamental and accessible way individuals can begin to prepare for future events. By understanding how the general population’s self-efficacy effects the development of household disaster plans, programs can be enhanced in ways that attempt to build people’s sense of capacity.

Another factor that has been observed to effect individual preparedness is exposure to hazards. A variety of studies (Bourque et al. 2012 ; Paul and Bhuiyan 2010 ; Perry and Lindell 2008 ; Pennings and Grossman 2008 ), across a host of different types of natural occurrences, have observed that when people have had past experiences with previous disasters, they are more inclined to engage in preparedness activities. For example, Peacock ( 2003 ), Heller et al. ( 2005 ), and Nguyen et al. ( 2006 ) have all observed that when households have been exposed to previous disasters, they are more likely to make structural investments in their homes to mitigate against future damages. Sattler et al. ( 2000 ) observed that when individual’s perceptions of their risk to disasters is heightened as a function of their exposure, households are more likely to stockpile supplies for future events. Moreover, Basolo et al. ( 2009 ) found that people’s fear of risk, which was partially a byproduct of their previous exposure to a disaster, was positively correlated with their development of a family emergency plan.

In addition to past experiences, exposure to information about preparedness practices has been observed to effect individuals’ actions. A number of studies (Perry and Lindell 2008 ; Paton et al. 2005 ; Schwab et al. 2017 ) have observed that people’s active information seeking has had a positive effect on households’ preparedness; however, there are a number of other studies (Wood et al. 2012 ; Bourque 2015 ; Houston et al. 2015 ) that have observed positive influences on individual preparedness activities as a byproduct of their receipt of passive information. Along these lines, information received by households through the print media, radio, television, and, more recently, through social media have been observed to increase household preparedness and mitigation practices such as the development of emergency plans (Wood et al. 2012 ; Bourque 2015 ; Houston et al. 2015 ). Although the clarity and accessibility of messaging are important so that preparedness information has the broadest possible benefit to populations, simple exposure to this information is argued to be influential throughout all phases of emergency preparedness (Paton and Johnson 2001 ; Chen et al. 2009 ).

Finally, individuals’ proclivity to engage in preparedness activities has also been studied as a function of their demographic characteristics. However, Lindell ( 2013 ) maintains that the findings relating to the influence of demographic characteristics on preparedness activities are mixed. Characteristics such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, number of dependents, educational level, and income level have been found to be significant in some studies, and not in others (Edwards 1993 ; Lindell and Whitney 2000 ; Nguyen et al. 2006 ; Eisenman et al. 2006 ; Spittal et al. 2008 ; Lee and Lemyre 2009 ; Tekeli-Yesil et al. 2010 ; O’Sullivan and Bourgoin 2010 ; Levac et al. 2012 ). Moreover, Mulilis et al. ( 2000 ) argue property owners typically engage in preparedness behaviors more than renters; however, even this characteristic is not always predictive (Lindell 2013 ).

As a result of these mixed observations, this study seeks to contribute to our scope of knowledge on what factors influence the likelihood of an individual developing a household emergency plan. Based on previous research that has theorized the influence of self-efficacy on other preparedness and mitigation activities, I hypothesize that a person’s level of self-efficacy in preparedness activities will positively affect the odds of them having developed a household emergency plan (H1). Additionally, since past studies have examined the effect of individuals’ exposure to disaster mitigation and planning information on their individual preparedness, I also hypothesize that having received information on disaster preparedness will have a positive influence on the odds of an individual having developed a household emergency plan (H2). Finally, because of the lack of consensus on the effect that demographics has on preparedness and mitigation, this study will seek to observe the influence of various demographic factors on having developed a household emergency plan.

In order to investigate the factors that influence people to develop individual household emergency plans, data from FEMA’s 2018 National Household Survey (NHS) (FEMA 2019 ) 1 was analyzed. This survey has been conducted annually since 2007 and seeks to measure people’s preparedness behaviors, attitudes and motivations in relation to a number of different disaster events. The 2018 NHS interviewed 5003 adult respondents through mobile and landline telephones in both English and Spanish, and oversampled individuals that experienced earthquakes, flooding, wildfire, urban events, hurricanes, winter storms, extreme heat, and tornados. Oversamples were based on hazard histories on individuals (FEMA 2019 ). However, not all respondents answered all of the questions needed for this current study. As a result, the final sample is composed of 4538 respondents who addressed all of the germane questions. Table  1 presents a demographic breakdown of the sample used in the study.

Table 1

Descriptive statistics ( n  = 4538)

Sampling weights were calculated to adjust for sample design aspects, such as the unequal probability of selection, and for nonresponse bias arising from differential response rates across various geographic regions and demographic groups (Maddala 1977 ; Kennedy 2007 ). The resulting weighted sample data reflect the entire target population of US adults. Beyond commonly used demographic variables, Table  1 includes a couple of variables important to this project. First, 50.55 percent of the sample indicated that they have developed and discussed a household emergency plan. Second, 63.16 percent of the sample indicated that they believed that taking actions to prepare for a disaster would be “Quite a Bit” or “A Great Deal” helpful to get them through a disaster. Third, 49.96 percent of the sample indicated that they had been exposed to information that could enhance their preparedness for a disaster in the last 6 months.

The dependent variable under investigation in this study is whether or not a respondent had developed and discussed a household emergency plan. Survey participants were asked: “Has your household developed and discussed an emergency plan that includes instructions for household members about where to go and what to do in the event of a local disaster?” The close-ended responses were coded zero (No) and one (Yes). As such, the dichotomous variable measures whether an individual has a household emergency plan.

The main independent variable in this research is an individual’s personal efficacy related to their disaster preparedness actions. In other words, respondents were asked to indicate how helpful they perceive preparedness behaviors to be in the event a disaster effected their geographic area. In response to this close-ended question, initial responses were coded from one to seven, but recoded in the analysis from zero to six, where zero indicated that the respondent believed that developing a household emergency plan in addition to other preparedness techniques would be “Not at all” helpful and four indicating that they believed preparing would be “A great deal” helpful. Responses that were coded with a five indicated that the respondent did not know, and those that were coded with a six indicated that the respondent had refused to answer the question. Because the data used in this study is secondary, there is no way to decern between respondents that specifically refused to answer the question and those that simply did not answer. As a result, all individuals that either refused to answer or simply did not answer compose the same category—“Refused.” As Table  1 highlights that only 4.01 percent of the sample indicated that preparedness activities would be “Not at all” helpful versus 40.77 percent that indicated that these types of practices would be “A great deal” helpful.

Because past research has indicated that exposure to disasters and emergency preparedness information has an influence on whether individuals engage in preparedness and mitigation practices, a variable measuring whether a respondent had been previously exposed to this type of information was included in the analysis. The survey asked respondents: “In the past 6 months, have you read, seen or heard of any information about how to get better prepared for a disaster?” The responses to this question are coded dichotomously, with zero indicating that an individual had not been exposed to this type of information and one indicating that they had. As indicated in Table  1 , 49.96 percent of the sample indicated that they recalled being exposed to information on how to become better prepared for disasters.

Literature also indicates an individual’s experience with disasters in the past has an influence on their preparedness practices. As such, an individual’s disaster experience was measured and included as a control variable in this study. The survey instrument asked respondents, “Have you or your family every experienced the impacts of a disaster?” Responses to this question were coded from zero to three, with zero indicating no and one indicating yes. Individuals that indicated that they did not know were coded with two and those that refused to answer the question were coded with a three. Table  1 highlights that 51.12 percent of the sample indicated that neither they nor their families had ever experienced a disaster; whereas, 48.53 percent responded that they had.

Finally, various demographic variables were included in the analysis due to their argued importance in disaster preparedness practices in the literature. Along these lines, respondents’ educational level, gender, race, homeownership, age, number of dependents under the age of 18 living in the same household, whether or not they are Hispanic/Latino, whether English is the primary language spoken in the household, and income were measured. Although household income is commonly measured per year, the survey asked respondents to indicate their level of household income per month. As such, the income categories represented in Table  1 are reflective of this.

For this study, logistic regression was used to observe how the previously discussed factors were associated with the odds of a respondent having developed and discussed a household emergency plan. Logistic regression is a technique which allows a researcher to relate a dichotomous dependent variable to a set of independent variables that may be continuous, categorical, and discrete or a combination of these (Petersen 1985 ; Warner 2008 ; Tabachnick and Fidell 2007 ). According to Petersen ( 1985 ), logit models allow a researcher to predict the probabilities of belonging to one of the categories on the dependent variable, in addition to predicting changes in probabilities resulting from changes in independent variables. This technique is therefore appropriate for this research in the context of assessing whether respondents developed a household emergency plan or not as a result of other independent variables since the dependent variable under investigation is dichotomous.

In order to observe how various factors influence individuals to develop and discuss a household emergency plan, the following equation was used:

In this equation, i indexes individual respondents, houseplan i represents if a respondent indicated that they had developed and discussed a household emergency plan (1) or 0 if not, x i is a vector of all the factors discussed previously that are represented in Table  1 , β are the coefficients to be estimated, and Λ is the cumulative logistic probability function. Standard assumptions for logistic regression were evaluated by preforming Spearman correlations, approximate likelihood ratio tests, and Brant tests (Brant 1990 ) on the regression model. The results of these tests demonstrated that the proportional odds assumptions held for each of the independent variables in the model. Moreover, the sample being analyzed in this study exceeds the ideal minimum number of observations for logistic regression (Petersen 1985 ).

Table  2 highlights the results of the logistic regression. Based on the analysis, several variables were observed to have statistically significant and positive influences on the odds of an individual having developed and discussed a household emergency plan. First, various levels of an individual’s personal efficacy in preparedness practices were found to be statistically significant and positively related to the odds of an individual developing and discussing a household emergency plan while holding all other variables constant. Specifically, as an individual’s level of efficacy increased the positive effect on the odds of them having developed and discussed a household plan also increased. Second, a statistically significant and positive relationship was observed between someone indicating they had been exposed to disaster preparedness information in the last six months and the odds of them having a household emergency plan in comparison to those that had not received similar information. Third, in comparison to individuals that indicated they nor their family had ever experienced a disaster, having experienced a disaster increased the odds of an individual having developed and discussed a household disaster plan while holding all other variables constant.

Table 2

Logistic regression of households with an emergency plan

In addition to these variables that had positive effects on the odds of someone having and discussing a household emergency plan, several variables were observed to have statistically significant and negative relationships with the dependent variable. First, Hispanic/Latino respondents were observed to have a statistically significant and negative relationship with the odds of having developed and discussed a household emergency plan in comparison to those that indicated they were not Hispanic/Latino and while holding all other variables constant. Second, being Asian also had a statistically significant and negative effect on the odds of having a household plan in comparison to Whites while holding all other variables constant. Third, renting one’s home had a statistically significant and negative effect on the odds of a respondent having developed and discussed a household emergency plan.

This study sought to investigate the influence of factors that have been observed to affect general household disaster preparedness on the specific action of developing a household emergency plan within the US context. Through the analysis of a national representative sample of Americans, various factors were observed to have an effect on the odds of someone developing a household emergency plan. Along these lines, two hypotheses were tested through the use of a logistic regression model. In line with past research on preparedness, an individuals’ efficacy in relation to developing a disaster plan was hypothesized and observed to be positively related to the odds of them developing an emergency plan. Moreover, as one’s relative level of efficacy increased, so too did the odds of them having developed a household plan. Additionally, it was also hypothesized and observed that having been passively exposed to disaster preparedness information, in addition to having previously experienced a disaster also positively influenced the odds of someone having developed a household emergency plan. As a result, this current research supports the observations of previous studies that have examined the influence of self-efficacy and passive information exposure on preparedness activities and broadens these variables’ potential influence on the development of individual household emergency plans.

These results also seem to indicate that outreach initiatives focused on educating the public about preparedness practices are somewhat effective. However, what is less understood is why some people have higher levels of self-efficacy when it comes to household preparedness activities than others. Is it that exposure to information over time contributes to someone’s sense of capacity to effectively deal with future disasters, and if so, is the way in which the information is presented more or less important in bestowing psychological support to people’s likelihood of engaging in these types of preparedness actions? Along these lines, future research should seek to address the influence preparedness information has on people’s efficacy based on the mediums through which the information is presented in the USA. Or, is a person’s efficacy a byproduct of their past experiences in disaster recovery? If this is the case, research should seek to qualify an individual’s previous preparedness behaviors, and their perceived effectiveness on an individual’s ability to recover from a past event as a means of observing whether the success or failure of past practices has affected their self-efficacy separately from their exposure to preparedness information.

In addition to understanding how efficacy influences people’s odds of developing a household emergency plan in the US context, this research also observed the effect of demographic variables on this practice. As was previously pointed out, many of the demographic variables that were controlled for in this study were not found to have statistically significant influences; however, there were a few that did. First, being Hispanic/Latino had a negative effect on the odds of an individual having developed a household emergency plan. The reason for this is unclear. Is it that Hispanics/Latinos are exposed to lower levels of passive information about disaster preparedness than their ethnic counterparts? Or, do Hispanics/Latinos tend to have relatively lower levels of self-efficacy than individuals belonging to other racial/ethnic categories? Future research might investigate this dynamic to understand why Hispanic/Latinos in the US context have a decreased odds of developing a household emergency plan in comparison to individuals that are not.

A similar relationship was also observed in reference to Asians. The analysis showed that being Asian decreased the odds of an individual developing a household emergency plan in comparison to their White counterparts. The reason for this relationship may have some similarity to that of Hispanics/Latinos; however, the effect that information exposure may have on this relationship maybe more prominent for Asians. The reason for this hypothesis is potentially related to the availability of documents and other preparedness information materials in languages that are accessible to Asian populations throughout the USA. Unlike Hispanics/Latinos that might require materials translated into Spanish or possibly Portuguese, Asians living within the USA speak a wide range of different languages, which many disaster mitigation and preparedness organizations do not have the capacity to translate. But the true reason for this relationship is unknown. Again, future research should attempt to understand why Asians in the USA are less likely than their White counterparts to develop household emergency plans.

Finally, renters were observed to have a decreased likelihood of developing a household emergency plan in comparison to their homeowning counterparts. As a result, this research seems to support Mulilis et al.’s ( 2000 ) findings that property owners are more inclined to engage in preparedness activities than renters; however, the reason for this is unclear and beyond the scope of this study. Future research may attempt to investigate through qualitative designs why renters are less likely to engage in household disaster planning. Additionally, future research may seek to observe the likelihood of renters developing household plans using a representative sample entirely composed of renters as a mean of understanding what characteristics among this particular group may affect preparedness at the household level.

Limitations and conclusion

Although this study observed various factors that potentially influence an individual’s odds of developing a household emergency plan, there are a few limitations that should be pointed out. First, this study did not account for the influence that an individual’s geographic location may have on their odds of developing a household plan. It may be that place (Cutter 1996 ; Wisner et al. 2004 ), which affects an individuals’ vulnerability to natural hazards, has a significant influence on household emergency planning. Second, and related to this first point, this study lacks clarity on the potentially differing affects that exposure to different types of disasters may have on household emergency planning. For example, does someone’s previous exposure to hurricanes have a stronger or weaker influence on the odds of them developing a household plan than if they had been exposed to an earthquake or their lived experiences throughout the COVID-19 pandemic? By better understanding these dynamics beyond what was observed in this current study, emergency management planning agencies can enhance their messaging and educational campaigns to more geographically situated populations and also potentially develop people's self-efficacy in preparedness activities.

Despite these limitations, this study contributes to our knowledge of individual household emergency planning. Generally, speaking the development of a household emergency plan is the first step in enhancing people’s resilience to disasters. However, if people do not feel that their actions will result in beneficial outcomes, they will be less inclined to engage in this fundamental preparedness activity. Along these lines, having access to preparedness information is important. But, it is equally important that people feel that if this information is internalized and transferred into action, there will be direct benefits to them. When we enhance people’s efficacy in preparedness not only do we make individual households more prepared to deal with natural occurrences, but we also begin to more broadly influence the resilience of whole communities.

1 FEMA and the Federal Government cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website.

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The Importance of a Family Emergency Plan

By Dave Plunkett

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As the evening news and twitter feeds tell us, we’re all about to live on a planet with unbreathable air; undrinkable water (when you can Replace it); inedible food; and weather that makes guessing what to wear a real challenge on a daily basis. The bottom line, the world is changing and you’ve got to prepare your family for the worst.

The road to proper preparation is paved with half-truths and political points of view. The main thing to remember is that you are preparing for immediate emergencies, so base your food storage plan on diversity and ease of preparation. But before you begin making an investment in survival food supplies and gear, you need to start with the creation of your family emergency plan. This plan will help you decide when an emergency situation (weather or natural disaster) forces you to decide whether to utilize a shelter in place solution or evacuate with your grab & go emergency kits.

Your family emergency plan is just that – an emergency plan so that you know regardless of the disaster, you’ll be ready and prepared to do what you need to do to survive the situation. Your FEP should cover all the major topics that come into play when a natural disaster or major storm hits your area. Basically, you need to discuss and write down the following:

• The names, birthdates and social security numbers for each member of your family.
• Your chosen meeting places – you need to pick and then list three different locations: the place you’ll meet in your neighborhood; the place you’ll meet outside of your immediate neighborhood; and finally, a place to meet should you all be out of town when a disaster strikes.
• A list of where everyone spends their weekdays – schools, work and any other places one member of your family goes to during the day should be listed, along with its address and phone number.
• Insurance & other important documents. List everyone’s drivers license numbers, passport numbers and any insurance policy you are carrying. Having your policy information at the ready will make getting any insurance settlements much easier to accomplish.
• Out of state contact(s) – you will need to decide on one or two people to use as your family’s check-in buddies. Every family member should use these numbers to call and inform them of your status should you family become separated during a storm or other disaster.
• Doctor or hospital contacts – be sure to list your family doctor’s name and number, along with the information about the nearest hospital. If applicable, include your Vet’s info as well.

To download your own Family Emergency Plan, go to FEMA’s website at: FEMA This site can not only provide the forms you need to fill out, but it also offers free of charge, a set of wallet cards your family can fill out to keep in their wallets and purses for quick reference.

Make sure to fill your family emergency food storage pantry by shopping our National Preparedness Month sale and save up to 58% on select essentials. We’re also offering FREE Shipping on all orders over $100, so get ready for winter by stocking up now.

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Emergency Planning

Crafting a Family Emergency Plan: Essential Elements

January 18, 2024

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Keeping you and your family safe should be a priority during times of crisis. Doing what's best for your loved ones involves being wise and making the best decisions, such as creating a family emergency plan.

However, developing one takes time. This guide covers all the essentials to create an effective energy family plan and provides tips and guidance to ensure you and your family are safe during times of uncertainty. Key Takeaways

Having a family emergency plan helps ensure your family is protected. Whether it's a natural disaster or a public health crisis, an emergency plan will better prepare you.

A family emergency plan should be well thought out and include important information. Typically, it has a communication strategy and an evacuation plan establishing a defined meeting point.

There are always ways to improve your family emergency plan. Practices such as doing drills and staying informed can help you make small improvements to the plan.

The Importance of Crafting a Family Emergency Plan

A family emergency plan increases the chances of your family’s safety during an emergency event . The plan typically includes instructions on what to do to ensure safety.

Establishing a family emergency plan reduces the time it takes to respond appropriately to threats. However, it requires adequate planning and consideration of such events to make them effective.

For example, in a natural disaster such as a nearby wildfire, a good family plan should address “how to act, where to go, and how to communicate.” In this scenario, you could gather certain essential items, head to a safe location from the wildfire, and reach out to emergency contacts.

In most cases, not every family emergency plays out the same way. Having various plans can help your family be more flexible in responding to various emergency situations.

What Should a Family Emergency Plan Include?

Here are some important things to consider as you construct your emergency family plan.

Communication Plan

A well-thought-out communication plan involves establishing who to contact and how to do so during an emergency.

Create a list of emergency contacts for services or trustworthy people you know can help. Document the list and place it in an accessible location for easy access.

Within the emergency contact list, include the means of reaching out, which may be phone numbers, email, and location addresses, as well as any other means of contact, such as social media accounts.

Evacuation Plan

When developing an evacuation plan, identify the threat, and determine the best means of escape based on the event.

Making emergency plans for various scenarios, such as natural disasters, a break-in, or a national emergency, can help tailor the plan for the most efficient and safest evacuation method.

Map out the most effective evacuation routes and include details of alternative routes to take if one direction is not feasible. Include details on modes of transportation and note any items you should bring with you.

Have a Grab-and-Go Bag

Creating an accessible grab-and-go bag with essential items should be at the top of the list when developing any sort of evacuation plan. To determine what items are essential to include in your bag, consider the nature of the threat. If it's a situation where you won't have access to the house for a prolonged period, include a change of clothes. In addition, always include items you or your family can’t live without, such as essential medications. Incorporate basic necessities like food and water as well.

Remember to put the grab-and-go bag in a convenient location that’s quick and easy to reach during an emergency.

Take Essential Documents

Documents are one of the most common things people forget to take during an evacuation. Don’t make that mistake. Some documents, such as IDs, communication information, or irreplaceable legal papers, can lead to challenges later down the road when they aren’t in your possession.

Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management Specialist at FEMA, Nick Miller , advises:

“You have to prioritize. What is the most important stuff to get out? I always say that is clothing, food, your emergency shelter supplies, and your important papers. I would have all your important papers and documents backed up.”

One recommendation is to make copies of any important documents that you have. Create both physical and digital versions so you will always have a backup. Of course, there might not be time to grab hard copies if evacuation from an emergency is urgent. Storing important documents online ensures their safety.

We have you covered if you want reliable online storage to protect your important documents. Trustworthy offers an online platform to store and organize all your essential documents for later access. In the event of an emergency, you can rest assured knowing everything is kept safe and organized whenever you need it.

Meetup Location

Knowing where to meet up during a family emergency is essential. Choose a spot before the crisis occurs.

When determining a meetup location for your family, you must consider certain factors. One is how accessible the location is for all of your family members. Ideally, find one centralized location that’s achievable for all members to reach.

The meetup location must also be accessible during the emergency itself. If the known threat could block off the location, have an alternative strategy for your family to reach safety.

Consider reevaluating family emergency plans from time to time to determine their effectiveness. Do an emergency drill to test and gauge if it's the right means of evacuation for you and your family.

Plan for Shelter-in-Place Scenarios

Sometimes, there are emergencies where it’s safer to shelter in place. Identifying these situations and planning accordingly helps ensure the best safety.

If the environment is too dangerous to leave your home, such as certain natural disasters or moments of political unrest, fortifying your location may be wiser than trying to abandon it.

Planning for sheltering in place requires you to stockpile essential resources, such as non-perishable foods, water, and medicines, to allow you to stay in place for a prolonged period. Being prepared for either sheltering in place or evacuating can help ensure your family's safety.

Stockpile Certain Supplies

During times of crisis, you don’t know when things will eventually settle. This is why you must stockpile certain items to ensure their safety and well-being for the long term.

With family emergency planning, stockpile supplies that will help protect your family from harm and keep them healthy when the emergency ends. Stockpiling is encouraged for shelter-in-place scenarios. However, you can also do it in advance for determined evacuation designations.

Only stockpile essential items. Here’s a list to take into consideration:

2-week supply of water (as recommended by FEMA )

2-week supply of non-perishable foods

First aid supplies

Personal hygiene items

Emergency lighting (flashlights, lamps)

Tools (knives, scissors, etc.)

Important documents (IDs, legal documentations, etc.)

Cooking appliances (pots, utensils, etc.)

Tips to Ensure Your Family Emergency Plan Is Foolproof

There is more to creating a family emergency plan than just planning. To help get the most out of it, follow these tips to ensure it’s effective when the time comes to follow through.

Practice the Emergency Plan

It’s a good idea to practice the plan through a series of drills and routines.

Some evacuation plans require you and your family to leave the area within minutes of the situation. In events where time is crucial, practicing drills is a good way of testing the efficiency of your strategy. If it takes too long to escape, you can adjust the pace as needed to address the time limit. Practicing and going through your established emergency plans at least once or twice a year helps keep you and your family sharp on emergency protocols.

Stay Informed

Staying informed on current events is a great way to be ahead of the curve when planning for potential disasters. You can plan ahead for some disasters by following reputable news sources. For example, news outlets notify people about natural disasters in advance, which can help you decide what's best for your family. The best way to stay informed is to subscribe to alert services on your phone. They tend to be the most reliable in informing whether the state of emergency is lifted and can often provide you with information on what to do and how to prepare.

Learn Prepper Basics

Being willing to learn basic prepper skills is greatly beneficial for you in being adept and providing safety for your family. Some skills such as first aid, effective communication, and food storage can help prepare you for almost any situation. Encouraging your family to learn with you is recommended, so they also learn the best practices.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many steps are there for creating a family emergency plan?

While the number of steps may vary depending on the situation, here’s a common series of steps to take: 

Step One: Determine likely risks

Step Two: Communicate with family

Step Three: Create a list of things you need and plans for emergencies

Step Four: Practice the emergency plans (evacuation and shelter-in-place) regularly

What are examples of family emergency meeting places?

Designated family meeting locations can be any safe and secure place. Some common locations include a room in a house, a nearby landmark, a community center, or another house or building within close access.

What is an example of a public emergency?

A public emergency is an event posing a significant threat to you and your family. These can be anything from natural disasters to public health crises, and industrial accidents to terrorist attacks or civil unrest.

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Creating a family emergency preparedness plan.

• Mercy Corps

Preparing for emergency situations can be overwhelming — but it’s also an important way to protect yourself and your family. When you know about the risks and hazards in your area, you can plan for them with awareness and forethought and have the appropriate supplies ready if and when they happen.

Recognized as a leader in delivering rapid, lifesaving aid to hard-hit communities, we have responded to numerous disasters, including the 2018 earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia, Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, the 2017 Horn of Africa drought and hunger crisis, and the 2015 Nepal earthquakes.

We know firsthand that emergencies can change everything in an instant.

In case of a serious emergency, emergency responders will be overwhelmed and unable to help for some time — possibly weeks. Your neighborhood may find itself stranded and isolated by fallen infrastructure. Those who aren’t prepared will face a harder time and could be a liability to neighbors.

This guide can help you prepare for many of the kinds of emergencies we respond to: power outages, violent storms, flooding, hurricanes, earthquakes, and more.

Building a communication and action plan

Stocking an emergency preparedness kit and emergency supplies Water Non-perishable food First aid Prescription medicine To-go emergency kit list Legal documents Pet safety Preparing your home for an emergency Have alternative sanitation Shut off utilities Secure furniture Insure your home How Mercy Corps responds to and prepares people for emergencies

Preparing for an emergency is about more than assembling supplies. One of the most important steps is making a plan with your family.

You’ll want to communicate with your loved ones so everyone knows what each person is going to do in the event of an emergency.

Everyone should know where your family will meet. Most people choose their home as their primary meeting place. You should also have a second place in mind as an alternate. It’s possible homes won’t be safe to enter. The area around your home may not be safe due to fire, poor air quality, or other hazards.

Consider the following. Where will you go immediately if the emergency:

Happens at home Happens while you are at work and the kids are at school Happens while you’re running errands Happens while you’re commuting

It’s also important to plan what you’ll do if members of your family are in different places when the earthquake hits:

Where will you meet each other? Who will be in charge of picking up your kids from school? Who is your emergency contact outside of your immediate location?

Make sure everyone in your family is aware of the plan, including where children should go and who will pick them up. Print copies and place them in your most frequented locations.

For the days after the disaster, you will also want to consider:

Where will you go if your home is no longer habitable? Where are your important documents and contact information? How will you evacuate, if needed?

Making a family plan and practicing it doesn’t have to be scary. You can make it a fun family event. This kind of practice is important because it gives your family the muscle-memory they need to be prepared in a variety of contexts. They might feel confident doing drills at school, but what about at home?

None of these preparedness actions cost money. The main cost is your time. This kind of planning is important not just for a big emergency, but also for more common emergencies, like home fires.

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Stocking an emergency preparedness kit and emergency supplies

Mercy Corps delivered relief kits in Kavresthali, Nepal. The kits included a tarp, sleeping mat, blanket, water purification drops, soap and other basic items. PHOTO: Miguel Samper for Mercy Corps

Emergency supplies are an essential part of a preparedness plan. You can assess your supply needs by thinking about where you spend extended periods of time. If you work outside the home, you might wish to have a home kit, a work kit, and even a commuting kit.

We recommend keeping your at-home emergency supplies together in a durable container with a lid. Organize your supplies in a safe and protected, easily-accessible area. Your kit should contain items to help you provide for your family for two weeks. Don’t “poach” supplies for other purposes, but do review them every six months, including expiration dates, to ensure safety.

You can keep an office go-bag under your desk at work. It should be something you can carry with you, containing items to help you survive, whether you’re trying to get home or staying where you are. Many people also keep a commuter kit in their cars, or in a bag they carry on transit or on their bikes.

As you assemble your emergency supplies, consider what items you may already have, such as camping gear, your kitchen pantry, or first aid supplies in your medicine cabinet. Just make sure you know where the necessary items are, and ask yourself, “Where are the gaps?”

Essential preparedness supplies are water, non-perishable food, and first aid. The following are considerations for the contents of your emergency kits.

Water Non-perishable food First aid Prescription medicine To-go emergency kit list Legal documents Pet safety Water

Water is the most essential element to survival, and a necessary item in every emergency kit. Following a disaster, clean drinking water may not be available. Your regular water source could be cut off or compromised through contamination.

In your home, plan to store at least one gallon of water per person per day for about 14 days. One gallon should cover drinking and sanitation. Children, nursing mothers and sick people may need more. A medical emergency might require even more.

You can purchase commercially bottled water for the safest and most reliable emergency water supply. Store your water in a cool, dark place. Keep bottled water in its original containers and do not open until you need to use it. Observe expiration dates. Replace your water supply about once every six months.

For to-go kits, consider using light-weight water packets or a water purifier to supplement small water bottles.

Non-perishable food

A Mercy Corps team member distributing cooked food. Following Hurricane Maria, Mercy Corps is supporting relief and recovery efforts in Puerto Rico. PHOTO: Ernesto Robles for Mercy Corps

Buy food you’d normally eat. Store enough to last two weeks per person. Stock up on canned foods, packets, dry mixes and other staples for your home. Emergency foods should not require refrigeration, cooking, water or special preparation.

Remember any special dietary needs. Avoid foods that make you thirsty. Choose salt-free crackers, whole grain cereals and canned foods with high liquid content. Here are some other food ideas:

Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables Protein or fruit bars Dry cereal or granola Powdered milk Peanut butter Dried fruit and nuts Crackers Canned juices Food for infants and children Spices Don’t forget utensils, plates, cups and a can opener!

A note about cooking without power: alternative cooking sources may be used in an emergency, such as chafing dishes, fondue pots and camping stoves. Depending on the severity of the emergency, your gas grill might be available. Remember to follow safety procedures, and never barbecue indoors.

If you’re cooking canned food with an alternative cooking source, remember to remove the label, thoroughly wash the can and open it before heating.

Your first aid supplies should be capable of dealing with moderate injuries, if possible. You might want to have enough supplies to treat multiple people.

Ideally, your first aid supplies would include:

Dressings Bandages Burn gel Splints Antiseptic

Since disaster responders may not be available, you may need to be able to treat more than the common cuts, scraps and burns.

Prescription medicine

Talk with your doctor about how to make sure you have enough prescription medications for at least a month, if possible. Keep your prescriptions current. Your doctor may be willing to write you an extra prescription for a disaster kit. Also keep in mind prescription expiration dates.

At the very least, make sure any necessary medications are easy to locate and grab in case of a sudden evacuation.

To-go emergency kit list

Members of Mercy Corps and the Zakat Foundation distributed solar lights and water filters to residents of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. PHOTO: J. Jimenez-Tirado for Mercy Corps

Keep a to-go kit in a backpack or satchel near an exit. Your to-go kit may also be used if you are at home. These are some items you might want to include:

Additional water packets, bottled water, or water purifiers Non-perishable, easy-to-carry food, such as meat packets, protein and fruit bars A mess kit with utensils, plate, cup and a can-opener Necessary medications, vitamins and first-aid supplies Prescription glasses and sunglasses Cash Pens & notebook Battery-powered or hand-crank radio Flashlight Batteries Solar phone-charger; car-battery phone charger Whistle or alarm to signal for help Lighter, or matches in a waterproof container Feminine supplies Personal hygiene, including toothbrush, toothpaste Toilet-in-a-Bag Moist towelettes. Dental floss – it has many uses! Clothing, including changes in underwear, hat, gloves Pet supplies and food Legal documents Tools: wrench, pliers Dust mask to help filter contaminated air Sleeping bag, blanket, bedding Complete change of clothes including long sleeved shirt, long pants, sturdy shoes Garbage bags A fun kit, including books, games, puzzles, cards, crayons, paper Legal documents

To help you think about what documents you may need access to, FEMA provides a checklist on its website, called the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK).

At a minimum, you should consider having photocopies of:

Identification, including birth certificates, social security card, citizenship papers Financial documents, including credit card and banking information Legal documents, including estate planning documents, property deeds, mortgage documentation, car titles Medical information, including health and life insurance policies, healthcare provider information Household contacts Pet safety Your pets will depend on you in case of a disaster, so think about them in advance.

The first step in a pet safety plan is to make sure your pets are properly identified. Does your pet have a license or ID tag? A microchip recommended by the ASPCA and can be read at most animal shelters.

Alternate care arrangements may be necessary for your pets. Arrange a safe haven: don’t leave your pets behind. Keep a list with several alternatives. Include phone numbers of alternate sites.

A designated caregiver is recommended in case an emergency occurs while pets are home alone. Perhaps you have a stay-at-home neighbor who is familiar and friendly with your pet. Do they have a key to access your home to provide care? You may wish to let them know what you’re thinking and provide orientation.

Include pet supplies in your family’s emergency kits, or make a specific kit for your pet. A good pet safety kit would be easy to carry, labeled, and easily accessible near a likely exit. Make sure everyone in your family knows where it is, including alternate caregivers.

What to include:

About one ounce of bottled water per pound per day Canned or dry food to last a week or more. Remember to rotate food and water periodically. Can opener Serving knife Bowls with lids Pet carrier Label with your pet’s name and your contact information Cage liner Pet first-aid kit and guidebook Medications in waterproof container Photocopies of medical records Photocopies of vaccination records Recent photos of your pets List of feeding habits, medical concerns, and behavioral issues Disposable dog scoop bags or disposable litter trays. You can use soil or sand in place of litter. Disinfectant Grooming supplies

Preparing your home for an emergency

Beyond having your supplies ready at home, it’s also important to consider other areas that might be affected by a disaster.

Have alternative sanitation Shut off utilities Secure furniture Insure your home Have alternative sanitation

During some emergencies, it’s unlikely that toilets will be operable. You can use the two-bucket method with camping toilet seats and sawdust for an alternate toilet, or purchase toilet-in-a-bag solutions to keep with your supplies.

Shut off utilities

Your utilities could be affected by some disaster situations. This is why you should know how to shut off your utilities — gas, water, and electricity. If you live in a house, make sure you and others in your household know how to do this.

Make sure you know where your home’s gas shut-off valve is. Keep a wrench by the gas valve so you will have it handy in an emergency.

If you’re in an apartment or condominium, make sure you know who would be in charge of this. It’s generally recommended that if you don’t smell gas, you don’t need to turn it off. But since we’ll have aftershocks and the situation may change, keep checking as long as it’s safe to do so. Apartment or condominium dwellers should manage gas systems for their own units only. DO NOT manipulate shared building systems.

Secure furniture

Secure tall or heavy furniture to walls to prevent it from falling during an earthquake. Falling furniture can cause injury or death, and can also block exit routes. Even without the threat of an earthquake, tall furniture should be secured for child safety. Tall appliances (refrigerators, washer/dryers) can also be secured to prevent movement during an earthquake. Furniture and appliances may be secured using furniture straps or other securing devices.

Insure your home

Only you can determine your risk tolerance and what kind of insurance coverage is right for you. Consult your insurance agent to determine what’s available to suit your needs.

How Mercy Corps responds to and prepares people for emergencies

Around the world, 160 million people per year are affected by some type of natural disaster.

In these emergency situations, people need immediate access to food, water and other basic necessities. Once recovery begins, they often need access to jobs or other activities and functional markets where they can buy and sell goods.

We help provide both.

Our responses start with meeting the most urgent needs. Lack of clean water and poor sanitary conditions are a major threat to people in emergencies. We often provide water, sanitation and hygiene support, which helps save lives and preserve health.

When possible, we choose cash-based assistance in emergency response in order to empower people to buy what they need most. We also help ensure access to adequate and safe food, since that is one of the most critical needs in an emergency.

As time passes, we focus on helping people build resilience to future emergencies. Often, that means helping build back markets where people can buy and sell goods. We also explore how we can get people back to work.

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Create a Family Emergency Plan Today

Having difficult conversations can make your kids feel safer..

Posted July 26, 2022 | Reviewed by Gary Drevitch

If there was an emergency, would you have a plan? What if there is a school shooting or a mass shooting at the local grocery store and you have no way to contact your children? The best way to protect your family is to have a safety plan.

Children feel better when they know they are emotionally and physically safe, but many families do not have a safety plan nor have they spoken directly about safety issues with their children. I hear a variety of excuses, like, “We are so busy,” “We just haven’t gotten around to it, though it’s on our to-do list,” or, “We have talked about what we would do if there was a flood or an earthquake.” The primary reason for putting off this discussion seems to be that parents are concerned that if they talk about scary things, they will frighten their kids.

Don’t be naive.

This generation of children has been exposed to a great deal of excessive content, often not appropriate for their age. This includes violent video games, overhearing parents listening to the news, images in the newspaper, or videos on social media sites. Consequently, many kids already live with a lot of fears, ranging from natural disasters to terrorist attacks, and of course, school shootings. Talking with them in a structured, forthright manner can only help. In fact, talking to them about a safety plan may be one of the most important discussions you have.

Putting Together Your Plan

Having a family safety plan begins with sitting down and holding a meeting. Come prepared with paper and pen to write down ideas. Set the goal that you will have a complete step-by-step guide for what each family member is to do in a variety of potential crisis situations. Also, specifically discuss what to do if an emergency happens during school hours, and go over school procedures in case of an emergency.

Here are some sample conversation starters:

• “We are going to talk about some things that may make you feel uncomfortable or even a bit scared. Hopefully, we will never have to use the information we are talking about, but we need to talk about it.”
• “You know how you have lockdown drills and fire drills at school? The principal and the teachers practice with you to make sure you are prepared in case of an emergency. We are going to do the same thing at home.”
• “What would you do if…?”

Create a list of questions for your kids to answer. Don’t make it scary; be matter-of-fact about knowing what to do based on the small possibility that something could happen.

Your family safety plan should be based on different scenarios, such as “What if mom and dad can’t get home from work before kids are home?” Ready.gov has created a complete set of instructions for parents to discuss with families, including elements of the plan below. Depending on the age of your children, decide which of the following components are appropriate:

• Set a general meeting place. Designate a general meeting place if one or more of you cannot make it home or to school.
• Create an emergency backpack. A great idea one mom shared with me was to have an “emergency backpack” ready in case of an unexpected event. In the backpack is a piece of paper with everyone’s contact information, insurance information, flashlight, protein bars, and assorted other things she thought her family may need.
• Set up an alert system. Set up a system that allows you to receive alerts and warnings from your local police on your phones. Go to your local police website or call them to find out how to set up receiving alerts on your electronic devices. FEMA has an Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). Learn more from FEMA here, and sign up to receive alerts.
• Compile a list of all emergency phone numbers. These should include parents’ work and cell numbers, as well as the cellphone numbers of each child. Write all the numbers on a piece of paper or print out from your computer in case you can’t access electronic devices. Also write down the numbers of friends and neighbors in case of emergency. Put all of these important papers in a safe place and make sure all family members know where it is. Share with your kids who is on the list and why they are included, then add the list to everyone's phones and email it to a trusted friend or family member not living in your home.
• Talk about what to do if there is a shooting in a nearby school or similar emergency. Initiate this conversation with your child in a calm manner. Plan so you know what your mission is and how you can get there. Leave time for your child to ask questions. Be patient and stay silent letting your child absorb the information and think about how they are feeling.
• Have a social media plan. If cell service is down, plan to go to Facebook, Snapchat, or Instagram for information. Social media sites can be very effective in times of crisis.
• Learn about what type of natural disasters may affect your community. Discuss this with your children in a matter-of-fact way. Come up with several plans for how you would evacuate if need be. Become familiar with shelters in your area. If you have a pet, check to see if they accept pets . Keep your fuel tank full, especially if a storm is headed your way.

Remember: The goal is to create open communication with your children about “scary” and uncomfortable conversations. Conveying that you are available to talk about uncomfortable feelings and thoughts is critical for helping your child feel safe and protected.

Kislin, Nancy. Lockdown: Talking to Your Kids About School Violence, 2019.

Nancy J. Kislin, LCSW, MFT, is a therapist and educator who helps parents, educators, and communities cultivate resilience.

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Make a Plan

DO NOT DELETE THE "EMPTY" SECTION CONTROL BELOW THIS. IT CONTAINS THE GHOST OF CLARA BARTON. 

With your family or household members, discuss how to prepare and respond to the types of emergencies that are most likely to happen where you live, learn, work and play.

Identify responsibilities for each member of your household and how you will work together as a team.

Practice as many elements of your plan as possible.

Document Your Plan with Our Free Templates

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Include Common Emergency Scenarios When You Plan

Plan for the emergencies that are most likely to happen where you live.

• Be familiar with natural disaster risks in your community.
• Consider how you will respond to emergencies that can happen anywhere, such as home fires and floods.
• Consider how you will respond to emergencies that are unique to your region, such as volcanoes, tsunamis or tornadoes.
• Think about emergencies that may require your family to shelter in place (such as a winter storm), vs. emergencies that may require evacuation (such as a hurricane).
• Consult our  emergency resource library  for tips on preparing for, responding to, and recovering from specific disasters.

Plan what to do in case you are separated during an emergency

• Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, such as a fire
• Outside your neighborhood, in case you cannot return home or are asked to evacuate
• Choose an out-of-area emergency contact person. It may be easier to text or call long distance if local phone lines are overloaded or out of service. Everyone should carry emergency contact information in writing and saved on their cell phones. Make sure places where your children spend time also have these contact numbers, like at school or daycare.
• How will you need to adapt your plan if they are at home?
• What will you need to do differently if they are away?

Emergency Contact Card

Make cards for the whole family in case you are separated during an emergency.

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Plan what to do if you have to evacuate

• A hotel/motel
• The home of friends or relatives a safe distance away
• An evacuation shelter
• Practice evacuating your home twice a year. Grab your emergency kit, just like you will in a real emergency, then drive your planned evacuation route. Plot alternate routes on your map in case roads are impassable. Make sure you have locations and maps saved on devices such as cell phones and GPS units and on paper.
• Plan ahead for your pets. Keep a phone list of pet-friendly hotels/motels and animal shelters that are along your evacuation routes. Remember, if it’s not safe for you to stay home, it’s not safe for your pets either.

Plan for everyone in your home

Some members of your household may need special accommodation during an emergency, which means planning ahead is even more crucial.

• Older Adults
• People with Disabilities

Plan to let loved ones know you’re safe

Read our tips  tips for reconnecting with loved ones  if you are separated during a disaster or emergency and decide which techniques your family will use.

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Making a disaster plan for your family.

In the face of disaster, what matters most is the safety of you and your loved ones. Having a plan in place will help to ensure you can focus on what's most important, while also minimizing the financial impact.  

No two disaster plans will be the same, so it’s important to consider your unique circumstances, like the layout of your home, the ages and mobility of each resident, communication channels, etc. Here is a basic checklist to get you started: 

• Know what emergencies are most likely to happen in your area. 
• Identify potential risks in your home. 
• Know your utilities. 
• Identify your shelter plan.  
• Put together an emergency communication plan. 
• Assign responsibilities. 
• Create a plan for special needs.  
• Post emergency phone numbers in an open and obvious place. 
• Know your evacuation routes and designate a meet-up location. 
• Prepare for stress. 

Let's break down each. 

Know your surroundings & create a supply kit.  

Pull together everything you might need in the wake of a disaster. The general recommendation is to include supplies for at least three days and up to two weeks. Keep everything in easy-to-carry containers, like backpacks or duffle bags, so you’re ready to “grab and go.” You may also want to keep a smaller version in your car. For a list of suggested items, visit Ready.gov/ . 

• Know what emergencies are most likely to happen in your area.  

This includes weather, like flood, tornado, hurricane, etc., as well as man-made, like from a chemical plant or power station. Risks vary depending on if you live in the city or in a more rural location. Your local American Red Cross or emergency management agency can help you learn what the greatest risks are in your area.  

• Know the dangers in your home.   

At least once a year, look through and around your home for potential risks, like blocked exits, old appliances, leaning trees, etc. Identifying these risks can help you keep an eye out for the warning signs of a dangerous situation in or around your home. 

• Know your utilities.   

Learn how to turn your utilities, like water, gas and electric, off and on, including ready access to utility emergency numbers and your landlord, if you’re a renter. Check your smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers once a month, and if they have replaceable batteries, change them every year or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.  

• Identify your shelter plan.    

In the case of severe weather, where should you go for safety? Your safe place might change depending on the situation. For example, a flood vs. tornado vs. fire.   

Make an evacuation plan.   

If you must evacuate, does everyone in the house know where to go? Practice fire and emergency evacuation drills at least twice a year. Imagine that you could take only one suitcase or pack a single carload. What would you take? Agree on this ahead of time and adjust if there is a change in your household.  

• Put together an emergency communication plan.   

Who will be the designated contact to share important information? If you have children, who is the backup contact if you’re unreachable? How will you communicate that information? 

• Assign responsibilities. 

For example, who is in charge of the family pet? What about important documents? How will your emergency plan change if someone assigned a responsibility isn’t home?  

If you or someone in your house has special needs, as in the case of a disability, it’s especially important to have a plan in place. Include information on any needs, medications, back-up equipment, etc. in your supply kit. Many local emergency services maintain a registry so that you can let them know exactly what type of help you would need in an emergency.  

• Post emergency phone numbers in an open and obvious place. 

Make sure everyone knows how to reach family and friends in case of an emergency. Consider having a designated contact who can help notify the rest of your list, that way you only have to make one call.  

If you’re away from home when disaster strikes and phones are down, where will your family regroup? Always listen to warnings from emergency response teams. Do not attempt to access roads or buildings that have been deemed unsafe. 

Stress is inevitable during and after experiencing a disaster. Although there’s no way to avoid it, the more prepared you are, the better equipped you’ll be to handle it. Practicing coping skills in your daily life can be an extra step in improving how you handle stress. 

• Disaster Action Plan: 5 Key Steps to Protect Your Family and Finances
• Be Financially Prepared in an Emergency!
• Make Sure You Have the Right Insurance Before Disaster Strikes
• Important Financial Documents Families Should Safeguard
• How an Estate Plan Protects Your Loved Ones
• Disaster and Financial Planning Guide
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Family Emergency Planning

Some disasters strike without any warning, and family members may not all be in the same place. How will you get in touch with each other? Where will you meet? How will you get out of your house in case of a fire? What if your neighborhood is being evacuated? It's important to make a plan, now, so that you will know what to do, how to find each other, and how to communicate in an emergency.

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Make a plan now so that you will know what to do and how to communicate in an emergency.

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No matter where in the world you live—whatever the climate or region may be—the place where you pitch your tent is most likely susceptible to at least one kind of natural disaster. Between earthquakes and hurricanes, tornadoes and volcanoes, Mother Nature wields a wrathful arsenal capable of threatening the lives of everyone across the country.

The safety of you and your family is paramount. You should be ready to evacuate your family to safer ground should one of nature’s mercenaries loom on the horizon. Given the speed and unpredictability of natural disaster scenarios, prompt and speedy evacuation may be a necessity—and preparedness will be your be your best bet at keeping everyone out of harm’s way. Use these disaster survival tips to make a family emergency plan and protect you and your loved ones’ safety.

What’s in a Family Emergency Plan?

Evacuation route, transportation, protect your home, evacuating children.

• Disaster Preparedness for Elders and Disabled Persons

Pet Evacuation Plan

Meeting locations, evacuation drills, emergency contact, 3. shelter plan, 4. build an emergency kit, 5. important papers to keep in case of emergency, 6. staying informed.

A family emergency plan is a terrific way to ready your family for worst-case scenarios. You can make a step-by-step guide as thorough or basic as you’d like, but having a rehearsed family emergency plan on hand could save minutes during times when lives depend on every second. At its minimum, a family emergency plan is an action agenda that outlines the preparations, communications, and procedures of your family during a disaster scenario.

A family emergency plan may help ensure that:

• Your family quickly escapes from harm's way
• Your family is prepared to evacuate with the necessary belongings and supplies
• Your family knows where to regroup should they be separated

You should write down your family emergency plan, commit it to memory, educate all family members, and practice it well. If you need help creating a well-thought-out, play-by-play manual for when a near-disaster is at hand, we can help! Just follow the instructions below.

1. Written Evacuation Plan

Evacuation is a stressful scenario that most people hope they’re never forced to do. No one wants to abandon their home to chance, knowing their life’s worth of belongings and mementos may be at risk of theft or destruction. Some homeowners wait until the last possible minute to evacuate, hoping that the emergency will dissipate before it reaches their property.

That’s a risky and often fatal strategy. Certain disaster situations—like storms, floods, and wildfires—are incredibly unpredictable, and can change in direction and severity at any moment; one hour your home is safe, the next hour it’s sitting right in the path of destruction. If you choose not to evacuate because you believe in your ability to weather the storm, or don’t think you’re in danger of the natural disaster at hand, you could end up being the people you see air rescued on TV… or worse. Many fatalities occur because residents ignore advice and wait too long to evacuate. You should never place you and your family at risk for the sake of material items.

Your family emergency plan should contain instructions on what to do if you’re ordered to evacuate, streamlining the steps required to get out the door as soon as possible. When establishing evacuation protocols, you should consider which natural disaster threat your family is most likely to face and how quickly you’ll need to respond. For example, if you’re watching a hurricane expected to hit shore in a couple days, you’ll have more time to pack up your belonging before standing in the way of destruction; however, in the event that a spontaneous wildfire jumps a freeway and threatens your home, you might only receive a two-minute warning before it’s too late, in which case a well-prepared evacuation plan will become incredibly useful.

You should also take into consideration the ages of your family members and your family’s special and medical needs, as well as the following factors:

The last thing you should be doing is searching for GPS instructions during an evacuation; know which roads take you to safety ahead of time. Your route should avoid areas that might be made dangerous by the hazards at hand. For example, if you live in an area that’s at risk of flooding, don’t plan on taking any roads that travel near floodplains, rivers, or other bodies of water.

Of course, you can’t always predict where emergency situations will occur, or what evacuation routes will be inhibited. Plan multiple evacuation routes so that if one is cut off, you’ll have a second or third option, and if you’re in a situation where you know you might need to evacuate, stay up-to-date on road closures.

Remember, your evacuation route should ultimately take you to a safe shelter that’s removed from the disaster area.

What if you don’t have access to a vehicle? Or what if a road-damaging event occurs that renders driving impossible?

Even if you have a vehicle, you should plan an evacuation route that includes a backup means of transportation.

Plan an evacuation route that utilizes an alternative mode of transit:

• Identify alternative modes of transit and their proximity to your home
• Know where there's a local bus station or train station within walking distance
• Consult your local government website to find evacuation services for citizens without vehicles
• Make arrangements with family or friends that have access to a vehicle

If you suspect that evacuation is imminent, be sure to unplug all appliances and electrical equipment, lock your windows and doors, and consider shutting off your gas. If there’s a risk of flooding, move furniture and appliances to a higher floor. Your family emergency plan might designate these tasks to different family members so they’ll get finished faster.

If you’ve received a notice to evacuate immediately, don’t waste any time rearranging your home! Leave as soon as possible. Protecting your family is far more important than protecting personal items.

Children may be naturally frightened during an evacuation, but it’s important to remember that children emulate the behavior of their parents. If adults appear overly frightened and in a state of panic, then children are more likely to be frightened and panicked, too. If adults stay calm and collected, it’s more likely the children will also be calm.

If you have a child, try to explain the reality of the situation with an honest but hopeful point of view. If the child has a preferred stuffed animal, toy, or blanket, be sure to bring it during the evacuation so that the child may have it for comfort. Talking about your family emergency plan and possible evacuation protocols in advance will help keep everyone calm should you ever need to put the plan into action.

Disaster Preparedness Guide for Elders and Disabled Persons

In an evacuation, you might be without standard food, shelter, and supplies. For elderly and disabled persons, make sure you bring the necessary materials such as:

• Wheelchairs and walkers
• Shower chair/tub-transfer equipment
• Ample supply of backup power for electrical devices
• Medicine/medical supplies

Some family members might need handicap-accessible transportation, so be sure to make proper transportation arrangements for them, if necessary.

If your elderly or disabled loved ones live elsewhere and you need to reach them in an emergency, be aware that the emergency block access to their home or your ability to contact them. In the event those persons cannot be reached, make sure that they’re aware of evacuation routes and transportation services, and that they have an emergency kit in their home.

Don’t forget about your furry friends! When you evacuate, make sure you bring:

• Food and water for your pet
• Shelter for your pet such as a cage or kennel. If your pet typically sleeps in a larger piece of pet furniture, bring comfortable blankets or towels for them to sleep on, instead.

Keep in mind that many emergency shelters don’t allow pets, so you should make a list of nearby shelters that allow you to bring domestic animals.

What if an emergency breaks out and your family members are separated in different parts of town? In case of separation, you should plan on a pre-arranged meeting place for your family to regroup. This meeting place should be easy to find, easy to remember, and far removed from the disaster area. Cell phone towers will most likely be down during a natural disaster, so having this spot pre-arranged might be the only way you can ensure your clan regroups.

Practice evacuation scenarios that require you to collect materials, use evacuation routes, and gather at pre-determined shelters or meeting places. If a real emergency happens, your family will be well-trained on what to do and where to go!

2. Emergency Contact Plan

Another important part of your family emergency plan is your emergency contact plan . During a natural disaster, it might be difficult to contact family members in your immediate area because of busy phone lines or dropped cell towers, so you’ll want to establish a reliable form of communications (pro tip: consider investing in some hand-held radios).

If local phone lines are busy, you could try calling people who live further away. Long distance emergency contacts can be a helpful way to relay information to immediate family members that you can’t reach due to busy, local phone lines.

Choose two to three people who live further away and make sure that everyone in your family has those phone numbers written down or saved in their phone in case you can’t contact each other.

If you evacuate your home, you’ll need to find new shelter in a safe area. During emergencies that cover a widespread area—like hurricanes and wildfires—you should seek shelter many miles away from the disaster area, in a different city or different county.

Make lists of both local shelters and lodging further away that you could evacuate to. If you have friends or extended relatives who live not too far, you might want to ask them if you could possibly stay with them if you had to evacuate.

An emergency kit is one of the most important items to have ready in an emergency. An emergency kit includes a huge span of different survival gear , or necessary resources for any situation where you’ve lost your shelter, access to food, water, equipment, and/or electricity. The best emergency kits have all these supplies organized within an easily-transportable device—typically a pre-packed survival backpack —that’s ready to bounce with you out the door the moment it’s called upon.

Ready-to-go survival backpacks will spare you valuable time, and you can stock them in your home (and in each of your family member’s vehicles, if you want to be extra-safe).

Should an emergency situation occur, you’ll want to have all vital documents stored in a single, waterproof container. These papers include:

• Social Security card
• Birth certificate
• Any other official documents that are difficult to replace

It might be worth your while to scan all of these documents and store your digital records on a cloud-based server so you know that you can access them in case that they’re damaged during a disaster.

In an emergency situation, it’s important to be aware of any breaking developments that could affect you and your family. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is a public warning system that may be used by local governments to issue important emergency information to radios and cell phones. These alerts are not affected by network congestion and are incredibly useful for staying up-to-date with the situation at hand.

Some information they can provide includes:

• Impending hazards
• Location of the nearest emergency shelter
• Evacuation routes that are unsafe
• Evacuation routes that are safe

Another great resource is NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR). This is a network of radio stations that broadcast continuous information and updates from the National Weather Service.

It’s important to educate all members of your family about these information sources, including how to access them. Spend time with your family learning how to tune in to various alert broadcasts in case you’re not there when the need for information becomes critical.

Remember to write out your family emergency plan in full. You should print out copies to give to each of your family members and you should have one in an easy-to-find location at home; keeping it somewhere in plain sight might help each of your family members memorize each step.

You’ll never be able to predict all of the situations that could arise in an emergency, but a strong family emergency plan will reduce the dangers that come from panic, indecisiveness, and uncertainty.

Family Emergency Preparedness Planning

Create a family disaster plan.

Gather information.

• What disasters or hazards are most likely in your community? For your home?
• How would you be warned?
• How should you prepare for each?

Know the warning signals for your area.

• Learn the warning systems for your community.
• Be sure you can hear or see the appropriate warning from your home.

Obtain insurance for your family and home.

• Check your homeowners insurance.
• Get additional coverage for situations that may not be covered.

Stay alert for emergency broadcasts.

• Emergency Alert System broadcasts (radio, TV)
• NOAA weather radio alerts
• News sources – radio, television, internet

Choose a post-hazard meeting place for your family.

• A safe distance from your home for sudden emergencies (e.g., fire).
• Outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home.
• Learn where area evacuation shelters are located.

Make a family communication plan.

• Know how you will contact each other if you are at work, school or other location.
• Have an out-of-state friend or relative serve as an emergency contact for everyone to call
• Keep a list of emergency phone numbers, including neighborhood contacts.
• Give emergency numbers to all family members and post by every phone.

Make a family emergency supply kit.

• You may need to survive on your own temporarily until you can get assistance.
• Prepare a kit with 3 or more days of supplies (food, water, clothing).

Share the above information with your family.

• Meet with all members of your household.
• Discuss the types of hazards that could occur.
• Discuss your family’s plan.
• Practice your plans.

Plan how you and your neighbors could work together during a disaster.

• Create a neighborhood communication plan.
• Help neighbors with special needs, such as elderly or disabled persons.
• Make plans for the care of children, if parents cannot get home.
• Learn response plans for your children’s schools or child care facilities.

Don’t forget to include plans for your pets.

Family Emergency Plan Situations

Shelter-in-place

• Take immediate shelter wherever you are – home, work, school or in between – rather than entering into a hazardous situation.
• Used for situations such as severe storms, winter weather, biological emergencies.
• Time will vary; few hours to several days.
• Leaving your current location and seeking shelter at a safer place.
• For situations such as flood or chemical accidents.
• Time will vary; days, weeks - it may be never for some situations (e.g., flood).

Important Websites

Additional preparedness resources.

Safety & Prevention

Disasters and your family: be prepared.

By: Claire McCarthy, MD, FAAP & Scott Needle, MD, FAAP

Nobody likes to think about disasters affecting our communities. But whether its hurricanes , wildfires , tornados , or other disasters, thinking about it is exactly what we need to do. Preparation makes all the difference; it can literally save lives.

Children and families can prepare together. Disasters can be scary, but being ready is one way to be less afraid!

Empty heading

10 ways to prepare your family for disasters.

Here are some simple and important things you can do with your family:

Talk to your children about disasters that might happen—and what they should do.

Know where to get reliable news and information about weather and disasters. Arrange a few different ways to receive alerts, such as texts.

Teach children the basics about what to do in a fire , such as getting low to avoid smoke or feeling doorknobs for heat before opening them. Have a fire escape plan.

If you live in an area affected by hurricanes , tornadoes, wildfires or earthquakes , talk with children about how to recognize the signs and where they should go.

Make sure children know how to call 911 and can give their name and address. Even very young children can learn this.

Decide on a person (preferably not a local person who might be affected by the same disaster) that everyone can contact if you are separated.

Have a meeting place outside the house where family members can go if you are separated and can't reach each other.

Practice! That is the best way to be sure the information sticks. Have fire drills and drills for other possible disasters where you live. If you have young children, try making it a game—they will be less scared and more willing to practice regularly.

Plan for where you would go if you had to evacuate. If you have pets, make sure the place you are going will accept them.

If you plan to purchase a generator for extended power outages after disasters, be sure to learn about steps to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning

Put together a family disaster kit

Having basic supplies is key if there is a disaster. In the heat of the moment, though, you may not have the time, or presence of mind, to gather them. So, do it ahead of time. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have great information on items to pack, but here are some ideas to get you started:

A first-aid kit

Water (2 gallons per day per person)

Flashlights, batteries, chargers

A battery-operated radio

Non-perishable foods, such as canned foods (include a can opener), granola bars and peanut butter

Cups and utensils (you can pick up some inexpensive camping kits)

Spare clothes, and a blanket or two

Toys or games

Supplies for pets

Medications—if you can, try to stay ahead of your refills and keep one in the disaster kit . At the very least, take a picture of the bottle so that you know exactly what you take.

Tip: It's not always possible to keep things like current medications stored away , so make a checklist of everything you might need to grab quickly. You can tape the list to the top of the container, which should be a manageable size (you may need a couple of them) and in a readily accessible place in your house.

Involve your children in planning and packing—you can make it a game by doing a scavenger hunt. Remember to check expiration dates and have kids help with remembering and doing that, too. The more you make it something regular and ordinary, the better.

Hopefully, your emergency preparations will never be more than a game. But should a disaster ever hit, they will be the most important game your family ever played.

More information

• Hurricanes & Floods: Taking Care of Your Children and Yourself
• Flash Flood Recovery: Information for Families
• Hurricane Preparedness: Tips for Families
• Winter Storm Disasters: Facts for Families
• Disaster Preparedness Resources for Families (AAP.org)

• Genealogy & Family History

What's Considered a Family Emergency for Work or School?

Updated 04/5/2024

Published 01/6/2020

Yvonne Bertovich

Contributing writer

Cake values integrity and transparency. We follow a strict editorial process to provide you with the best content possible. We also may earn commission from purchases made through affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more in our affiliate disclosure .

When a family emergency occurs, your first instinct may be to drop everything and prioritize your family members’ needs. In some situations, it’s the only available solution — and that could mean taking time away from other obligations. 

But what constitutes a family emergency, and how does your work or school define it? Here’s what you need to know.

Jump ahead to these sections:

Family emergency quick facts, what is a family emergency, what events are considered a family emergency, what family emergencies qualify for fmla, immediate family vs. extended family for family emergencies, how to email or notify a teacher, professor, or boss of a family emergency, example family emergency emails, family emergency faqs.

There's a lot to know when it comes to asking for leave due to a family emergency. Here's what you need to know at a glance.

• Family emergencies are considered unexpected events that significantly impact you and your immediate family.
• Under the Family and Medical Leave Act, you can ask for up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year for a family emergency depending on where you work.
• There are specific events that qualify as family emergencies per the Family and Medical Leave Act..
• Small private companies do not have to provide leave due to family emergencies.
• You might have to provide proof of the emergency to your employer.
• Communication is key when requesting time off or deadline extensions due to a family emergency.

A family emergency is an event that impacts the health or safety of your family and requires you to take action on their behalf. Family emergencies can range from a death in the family to a serious illness or a natural disaster. 

Whenever there's an unexpected situation where you are required to abruptly change routine, care for someone, provide assistance, or otherwise help your family through a time of need, it can likely be considered a family emergency.

It's important to understand that, while something might be considered an emergency to you, it might not be by your employer or school. If you have something happen that you feel is an emergency, but it isn't on the list of approved emergencies for leave or time off, be sure to talk with your employer or professors to make arrangements.

Here are some events that are generally considered emergencies.

Immediate family member seriously sick or injured

If a member of your immediate family becomes seriously ill or injured, your employer or professor should consider the event an emergency. This is especially true if the person needs to spend time in the hospital. 

Birth or adoption

Welcoming a new baby or child into the family is the best kind of emergency. Most companies have parental leave policies for birth and adoption so the parents can take time and spend it with their child. However, for some employers, this might fall under the "family emergency" time-off policy.

Death of a close family member or friend

Death is always considered an emergency. Most companies and schools have policies in place for paid and unpaid leave due to family deaths. 

Most paid leave applies to the death of an immediate family member, but unpaid leave is generally offered for any death in the family.

Family member going through surgery or mediclal procedure

Unexpected surgeries and medical procedures for an immediate family member are generally considered emergencies. Even planned surgeries and medical procedures could be considered emergencies and qualify for time away if you are impacted.

Natural disasters and home emergencies

If you're impacted by a fire, flood, hurricane, major earthquake, tornado, or any other major disaster, these would typically qualify as a family emergency. 

Home emergencies are generally considered issues that impact the entire structure like a major flood or fire.

What constitutes a family emergency for health or medical reasons is outlined by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) . However, it's important to note that the FMLA only applies to employees of public agencies, public and private elementary and secondary schools, and companies with 50 or more employees.

Employers operating under the FMLA must provide an eligible employee with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave each year for family emergencies. Whether emergent or ongoing, family emergencies include the following:

• The birth and care of the newborn child of an employee
• Adoption or foster care of a child of an employee
• To care for an immediate family member (such as a spouse, child, or parent) with a serious health condition
• To take medical leave when the employee is unable to work because of a serious health condition
• A car accident or similar accident of an immediate family member or another family member in your care
• A death or the funeral of an immediate or extended family member
• A natural disaster or other external danger that puts a family member’s life or livelihood at risk
• A threat of other emotional or physical damage
• Anything else that may cause trauma or detriment to a family member

You may be able to request a leave of absence, use paid time off, or even switch to remote work to deal with the above circumstances, depending on your state, school, or work policies.

Post-loss tip:  If you are the executor for a deceased loved one after a sudden death, the emotional and technical aspects of handling their unfinished business can be overwhelming without a way to organize your process. We have a post-loss checklist  that will help you ensure that your loved one's family, estate, and other affairs are taken care of.

Whether you’re currently going through a family emergency or you’re thinking proactively, it's important to carefully consider who’s a part of your family. It may seem obvious to you, but sometimes the closest people to us aren’t recognized by others as “immediate” family members.

T ypically, leave is granted for immediate family, but not always for extended family. Take note of this and be prepared to explain things in more detail if the emergency is technically related to a member of your extended family.

Who’s in your immediate family?

Your workplace or school may only grant leave or support for emergencies in your immediate family . Your immediate family is made up of your:

• Spouse or domestic partner
• Parents or legal guardian
• Grandparents
• Grandchildren
• Adopted, half, and stepfamily members
• Spouse's immediate family members

Who’s in your extended family? 

Your work or school may offer leave and support for your extended family as well. Your extended family is made up of:

• Aunts and uncles 
• Great-aunts and uncles (and so on)

Unfortunately, close family friends of no relation do not fall into your immediate or extended family as formally recognized. However, if you have a particularly understanding instructor or boss, you may consider disclosing this information to them and asking how to proceed.

It may be wise to use paid time off or work on your assignments remotely while you provide support to loved ones. 

When emailing a teacher, professor, or boss about a family emergency, your exact process may differ. However, if formal emails are a rare thing for you, you may want to consider following the steps below.

The more professional and mindful you sound, the more respect and support you’ll likely receive. Keep in mind the details you need to share with the person you’re contacting.

It may also be wise to ask these individuals about their policies for making up work and meeting other deadlines that you may miss. 

Step 1: Check your work or school's family emergency policy

Before you fire off an email, check your school's or work's family emergency policy. It can be helpful to reference the policy in your email regarding the time off you request and the reason for doing so.

If there is no policy, you'll need to tread lightly when you ask for time off due to the emergency you face. If there is a policy, make sure the emergency you're experiencing falls under the policy for emergency-based absence and leave. If it doesn't, you'll need to ask for an exception and talk with your professor or boss to make arrangements.

Step 2: Consider your timing

Since you’re dealing with a family emergency, it’s likely that you think you should email your teacher, professor, or boss as soon as possible. While you’re not wrong, you should consider what may be going on in that person’s schedule at the time.

Is it a weekend? Does your teacher, professor, or boss not check their email often? Perhaps you can reach this person via a personal email address or even send a text, depending on your relationship. If the family emergency will impact your attendance for the following school or workday, this is permissible.

You may also choose to call and leave a voicemail at your boss or professor’s office. 

Step 3: Think of your main points

What are the key points that you have to relay to your teacher, professor, or boss? Is there any sort of “proof,” such as a doctor’s note, that you think it would be wise to include? It’s understandable that it may be difficult to think carefully or logically during this time.

However, your superiors are more likely to work with you if you provide them with the necessary details and go about the matter professionally rather than emotionally. You should think about addressing the following points, depending on the details of your family emergency:

• When do you foresee yourself being absent?
• Have you delegated work to your peers or coworkers?
• Are you currently working on any projects that are considered urgent? 
• Are you missing any meetings or other deadlines?
• Do you plan to be available at all via phone, text, or email while you’re away?
• What details of the emergency should you share (it’s an immediate family member, what happened, etc.)?
• What sort of bereavement leave is available?

Step 4: Write a draft

Now that you have either typed or made mental notes of the pertinent details, you’re more prepared to draft an email. It doesn’t have to be a novel, but the more specific and composed you sound, the easier it will be for even the least understanding teachers, professors, or bosses to cut you some slack.

This is a good point to think about if you should copy any other superiors or colleagues, such as counselors or human resources (HR) representatives  or she shouldn’t greet your message with respect and support.

Reread your draft and decide whether there’s anything missing or if there’s anything else you should share. This is also a good time to look for spelling or grammatical errors. 

Step 5: Save your draft (if it hasn’t already auto-saved)

One of the most important steps is to save your draft, especially if you work on an email platform that doesn’t auto-save drafts.

The worst thing that could happen is that you’d have to write the email all over again. But it’s likely that you’d prefer not to do so, especially considering the topic at hand. 

Step 6: Walk away from your computer or phone for a few minutes

You have a saved draft. It’s time to walk away from your computer, phone, or another device for a few minutes. Do something else.

Think about something else. Play with your dog or cat. Come back to your draft with fresh eyes.

Step 7: Review and send

It’s time to reread your email and hit send. That being said, you don’t have to follow all of the above steps if they seem too extensive. However, when dealing with a matter as serious as a family emergency, it’s better to be safe and well-written than sorry.

Some teachers, professors, and bosses have very little patience when it comes to communication-related errors — don’t fall victim to this. 

Communication with your bosses, teachers, and professors is key when a family emergency arises. They'll be happy to work with you, but they can't help you if they don't know what's going on or why you're suddenly missing or requesting time away. Here are a few sample emails to help you write one of your own.

• Professor Byron, I need to request accommodation for the upcoming weeks due to a family medical emergency involving my mom. She has been diagnosed with end-stage cancer and I need to travel home to care for her for the next two weeks until my uncle arrives. I would appreciate an allowance on due dates and am happy to work with you to make arrangements for assignment completion. I will return on April 5th, 2023.
• Dear Mr. Jones, I am writing this to inform you of my need to take an emergency absence for the next three weeks due to the happy arrival of our adopted son. We received the call yesterday and are expected to be in Florida for his birth in two days' time. I will return to work on March 15, 2023. In the meantime, I will be available for any emergencies that arise here and will be reachable by my team on my phone.
• Mrs. Keller, I need to inform you that a family emergency has arisen and I need to take the next several weeks off to care for my son as he recovers from severe injuries from a car accident. I will stay on top of deadlines from home and will be reachable on my cell phone at (111) 123-4567. I appreciate your understanding in this matter.

There are several frequently asked questions you might wonder about. During such a stressful time, there may be a lot of unknowns and the answers may depend on your unique situation. Perhaps the following can give you some peace of mind or at least a greater understanding of what’s going on or how to explain your situation to others. 

Can you get fired or penalized for having a family emergency?

Getting fired or penalized for a family emergency is horrible to consider, but it is possible. Some employers do not provide adequate support to individuals going through said emergencies. Firings or penalties may not even be based on a personal decision against you. It may, unfortunately, be due to a lack of funding, understaffing, or corporate policy.

However, you should also take note of how you can be covered by the FMLA — family members, that is, not girlfriends or fiancés, for example. Employers of less than 50 employees are not required to follow the FMLA and may not offer supplemental support. 

In the event that you’re fired and you still have a decent relationship with your former employer, you may consider at least asking for a letter of reference if you must leave the company. However, there’s nothing wrong with asking for a second chance if there are no ill feelings.

On the other hand, if you suspect you were wrongfully terminated, you can contest for benefits from your employer. 

Can employers ask about or need proof of a family emergency?

In the event that you must request a leave of absence from your employer, you may have to submit proof of your relationship to the family member in need as well as documentation of the emergency. This may include medical documents, doctor’s notes, or any other official forms. 

It’s also common for institutions to require documentation for family emergencies. This may include notes that you can acquire from a doctor or other care professional. In the event of a death or other emergency, this may include memorial pamphlets, obituaries, news clips, formal claims, or military correspondence. 

How do you respond to someone if they’re saying they’re having a family emergency?

When someone says they’re dealing with a family emergency — and you have no reason to believe the individual would lie — support is the most important thing to offer. Tell the person that you’re sorry they have to go through this and that you’ll keep their family in your thoughts or prayers. Genuine well-wishes are never the wrong thing to say. 

If the person didn’t give details that you need answers to, it wouldn’t be rude to ask for clarification. Just be advised that they may not answer right away. You should also offer whatever additional support you’re authorized to give, such as approved leave or that you can adjust their schedule and push assignments, meetings, exams, and the like.

You should also ask if there’s any other way you can help — if you feel comfortable doing so. 

Do you get paid if you take time off for a family emergency?

Unfortunately, you are not guaranteed paid time off for family emergencies. You are allowed up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year under the Family and Medical Leave Act if you qualify. The one benefit you will receive is that your job will be waiting for you when you get back.

Keep in mind that small companies under 50 people do not have to follow this rule, so it's best to check with your employer regarding family and medical leave policies.

Can you be failed in a class if you have a family emergency?

The key to not getting an outright "F" due to a family or medical emergency is to communicate with your teachers and professors. Depending on the class, there's a potential of completing the homework while you're away, turning in assignments, or even asking for a hybrid option so you can listen to the lectures at home.

If you miss too much time and are unable to complete assignments, however, you'll likely need to finish the course during the summer or the next semester when it rolls around. In higher education, you might be able to negotiate for an "Incomplete" to be recorded so you can finish the class the next semester or during the summer term. If you're in high school, you might need to take summer school to catch up if there are no other options.

Family Emergencies: Things Happen

As you deal with family emergencies, it’ll benefit you to understand what you’re dealing with and what avenues of support are available to you. Dealing with loss, tragedies, or having to travel to provide support to your family can take a toll. Though work and school are important, they are arguably temporary.

Your family and your loved ones have been there since the beginning and will be there at the end of your life, too. Be sure to know your planning options as you deal with each emergency.  

If you're looking for more ways to stay prepared, read our guides on  how to create an emergency contact list  and  what to put on your medical ID bracelet .

• “Family and Medical Leave (FMLA).” U.S. Department of Labor. Dol.gov
• “Pay and Leave: Leave Administration. Sick Leave for Family Care or Bereavement Purposes.” U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Opm.gov

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Family Communications Plan

Where will you be when a disaster strikes?                    

You can almost assume that when an emergency hits, your family will not be together.  Depending on the circumstances, you may not be able to get back together for some time. 

• Students and teachers may be held in school, perhaps in a locked-down situation.  They will not be released until it is deemed safe by authorities.  If you’re not available who will claim them?
• Employees may be needed to stand by to help protect co-workers as well as save the business itself.
• City employees and First Responders are likely to be called into action before knowing the condition of their own homes and family members.  They may be away from home for hours or days at a time.
• Any family member could be away from the home on travel, shopping, or vacation.

Immediately following the disaster, your concern will be to find out where everyone is, their condition, and the condition of your home – all at a time when local telephone service may be overloaded or even destroyed.  This concern is natural and normal . . . and without a Family Communications Plan, this difficult period may be far longer and more painful than necessary.

A Plan Speeds Communication

Sign up to receive emergency communications.

Some cities offer an electronic Alert service to notify people via phone or email about weather-related or other emergencies.  Check with your own community.  This news could give you an important head start.

Choose a family meeting place

If you aren’t at home, and can’t get home, or your home isn’t safe after the emergency, pick an alternate meeting place. It could be as simple as a location just down the street (local park?).

Set up an Out-of-Town Contact (your “Home Base”)

The first step in your family communications plan is to identify a family member or friend willing to be your “Out-of-Town Contact” in case of a widespread emergency and phone service is disrupted.  In addition to being willing, this person needs to be someone who:

• Lives out of the immediate area .  If local phones are out, getting through to someone via a long-distance connection may be easier.
• Owns a smart phone that can receive a text or SMS message.  (SMS = Short Message Service)  Text messages may get through when phone messages can’t!  This assumes, of course, that everyone in your family knows how to send a text message.  If they can’t, some training is in order.  Of course, if your Out-of-Town Contact doesn’t have a smart phone, any phone will do.  And having at least one phone that can plug directly into a phone jack is a good idea in all homes; most cordless phones won’t work if the power is out.
• Is able to keep track of calls that come in and share info with others.  Not all family members are able to do this.

In a very large disaster, if you cannot reach family members, you may want to use the American Red Cross Safe and Well website .  You can search as well as leave a message regarding your own whereabouts and condition.

Create Emergency Contact Cards

Make sure all family members have the Out-of-Town Contact’s phone number.

If you are one of those people who is never separated from your phone, you will no doubt program in your Out-of-Town Contact’s number.  You may also want to program in an ICE number, or In Case of Emergency number.  First Responders may look in your phone for this listing.

But everyone also needs a wallet card that can be carried for identification and that will have the Out-of-Town Contact’s number whether your phone is working or not.  Here is a sample Emergency Contact Card:

The back of the card can contain other important information, including where to meet in an emergency and vital medical information.  Be conscious of privacy when you do fill out the card, since it will not be secure.  Include this card in backpacks, briefcases and purses.

Families with Children

Being separated from parents during an emergency will be an emergency itself for many children.  If you have small children, your family communications plan may need to be more extensive than simply an Out-of-Town Contact name and number.

In particular, it is important that your children have friends or family members who will be able to respond to a call for assistance, and approved to collect your children in your absence.  Most schools already have this information on file.

We recommend that you:

• Review the list of “approved people” that is on file at your child’s school.  Should it be expanded to be sure someone will be available in case of a wide-spread emergency?
• Confirm with neighbors or relatives that they are on the “approved list” and be sure they agree to be there.  Normally, the alternate place for the family to assemble after an emergency would be that approved person’s home rather than the family home.
• Go over the list with your children so they know what to expect in an emergency. Share your plan with other parents in your community.

Update your family communications plan information

Like all contact information, your emergency contact information needs to be regularly updated.  Reaching an old, disconnected number may be more upsetting than not having one at all!  We recommend that the family sit down at least once a year to discuss emergency issues, who is on the neighborhood contact list, who is the Out-of-Town Contact person, etc.

This family meeting can also be a time to go over safety drills in the home.  For example, you could review how to respond in an earthquake, or how to use emergency ladders to safely escape from the second floor.  You could take this opportunity to change the batteries in the smoke detectors, refresh emergency supplies, or talk about an alternative meeting location if the home is unavailable.  Naturally, the “agenda” of the meeting will change as children get older or as parents get older!

Best of luck in getting this together SOON!

Virginia Nicols Your Emergency Plan Guide Team

.S. Younger children may need more training on how to get out of the house and where to go once they are out. Check out this article about including kids in preparedness training. (It is one of my favorites!)

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Perspective

When pto stands for 'pretend time off': doctors struggle to take real breaks.

Mara Gordon

A survey shows that doctors have trouble taking full vacations from their high-stress jobs. Even when they do, they often still do work on their time off. Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images hide caption

A survey shows that doctors have trouble taking full vacations from their high-stress jobs. Even when they do, they often still do work on their time off.

A few weeks ago, I took a vacation with my family. We went hiking in the national parks of southern Utah, and I was blissfully disconnected from work.

I'm a family physician, so taking a break from my job meant not seeing patients. It also meant not responding to patients' messages or checking my work email. For a full week, I was free.

Taking a real break — with no sneaky computer time to bang out a few prescription refill requests — left me feeling reenergized and ready to take care of my patients when I returned.

But apparently, being a doctor who doesn't work on vacation puts me squarely in the minority of U.S. physicians.

Research published in JAMA Network Open this year set out to quantify exactly how doctors use their vacation time — and what the implications might be for a health care workforce plagued by burnout, dissatisfaction and doctors who are thinking about leaving medicine.

"There is a strong business case for supporting taking real vacation," says Dr. Christine Sinsky , the lead author of the paper. "Burnout is incredibly expensive for organizations."

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Researchers surveyed 3,024 doctors, part of an American Medical Association cohort designed to represent the American physician workforce. They found that 59.6% of American physicians took 15 days of vacation or less per year. That's a little more than the average American: Most workers who have been at a job for a year or more get between 10 and 14 days of paid vacation time , according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

However, most doctors don't take real vacation. Over 70% of doctors surveyed said they worked on a typical vacation day.

"I have heard physicians refer to PTO as 'pretend time off,'" Sinsky says, referring to the acronym for "paid time off."

Sinsky and co-authors found that physicians who took more than three weeks of vacation a year had lower rates of burnout than those who took less, since vacation time is linked to well-being and job satisfaction .

And all those doctors toiling away on vacation, sitting poolside with their laptops? Sinsky argues it has serious consequences for health care.

Physician burnout is linked to high job turnover and excess health care costs , among other problems.

Still, it can be hard to change the culture of workaholism in medicine. Even the study authors confessed that they, too, worked on vacation.

"I remember when one of our first well-being papers was published," says Dr. Colin West , a co-author of the new study and a health care workforce researcher at the Mayo Clinic. "I responded to the revisions up at the family cabin in northern Minnesota on vacation."

Sinsky agreed. "I do not take all my vacation, which I recognize as a delicious irony of the whole thing," she says.

She's the American Medical Association's vice president of professional satisfaction. If she can't take a real vacation, is there any hope for the rest of us?

I interviewed a half dozen fellow physicians and chatted off the record with many friends and colleagues to get a sense of why it feels so hard to give ourselves a break. Here, I offer a few theories about why doctors are so terrible at taking time off.

We don't want to make more work for our colleagues

The authors of the study in JAMA Network Open didn't explore exactly what type of work doctors did on vacation, but the physicians I spoke to had some ideas.

"If I am not doing anything, I will triage my email a little bit," says Jocelyn Fitzgerald , a urogynecologist at the University of Pittsburgh who was not involved in the study. "I also find that certain high-priority virtual meetings sometimes find their way into my vacations."

Even if doctors aren't scheduled to see patients, there's almost always plenty of work to be done: dealing with emergencies, medication refills, paperwork. For many of us, the electronic medical record (EMR) is an unrelenting taskmaster , delivering a near-constant flow of bureaucratic to-dos.

When I go on vacation, my fellow primary care doctors handle that work for me, and I do the same for them.

But it can sometimes feel like a lot to ask, especially when colleagues are doing that work on top of their normal workload.

"You end up putting people in kind of a sticky situation, asking for favors, and they [feel they] need to pay it back," says Jay-Sheree Allen , a family physician and fellow in preventive medicine at the Mayo Clinic.

She says her practice has a "doctor of the day" who covers all urgent calls and messages, which helps reduce some of the guilt she feels about taking time off.

Still, non-urgent tasks are left for her to complete when she gets back. She says she usually logs in to the EMR when she's on vacation so the tasks don't pile up upon her return. If she doesn't, Allen estimates there will be about eight hours of paperwork awaiting her after a week or so of vacation.

"My strategy, I absolutely do not recommend," Allen says. But "I would prefer that than coming back to the total storm."

We have too little flexibility about when we take vacation

Lawren Wooten , a resident physician in pediatrics at the University of California San Francisco, says she takes 100% of her vacation time. But there are a lot of stipulations about exactly how she uses it.

She has to take it in two-week blocks — "that's a long time at once," she says — and it's hard to change the schedule once her chief residents assign her dates.

"Sometimes I wish I had vacation in the middle of two really emotionally challenging rotations like an ICU rotation and an oncology rotation," she says, referring to the intensive care unit. "We don't really get to control our schedules at this point in our careers."

Once Wooten finishes residency and becomes an attending physician, it's likely she'll have more autonomy over her vacation time — but not necessarily all that much more.

"We generally have to know when our vacations are far in advance because patients schedule with us far in advance," says Fitzgerald, the gynecologist.

Taking vacation means giving up potential pay

Many physicians are paid based on the number of patients they see or procedures they complete. If they take time off work, they make less money.

"Vacation is money off your table," says West, the physician well-being researcher. "People have a hard time stepping off of the treadmill."

A 2022 research brief from the American Medical Association estimated that over 55% of U.S. physicians were paid at least in part based on "productivity," as opposed to earning a flat amount regardless of patient volume. That means the more patients doctors cram into their schedules, the more money they make. Going on vacation could decrease their take-home pay.

But West says it's important to weigh the financial benefits of skipping vacation against the risk of burnout from working too much.

Physician burnout is linked not only to excess health care costs but also to higher rates of medical errors. In one large survey of American surgeons , for example, surgeons experiencing burnout were more likely to report being involved in a major medical error. (It's unclear to what extent the burnout caused the errors or the errors caused the burnout, however.)

Doctors think they're the only one who can do their jobs

When I go on vacation, my colleagues see my patients for me. I work in a small office, so I know the other doctors well and I trust that my patients are in good hands when I'm away.

Doctors have their own diagnosis: 'Moral distress' from an inhumane health system

But ceding that control to colleagues might be difficult for some doctors, especially when it comes to challenging patients or big research projects.

"I think we need to learn to be better at trusting our colleagues," says Adi Shah , an infectious disease doctor at the Mayo Clinic. "You don't have to micromanage every slide on the PowerPoint — it's OK."

West, the well-being researcher, says health care is moving toward a team-based model and away from a culture where an individual doctor is responsible for everything. Still, he adds, it can be hard for some doctors to accept help.

"You can be a neurosurgeon, you're supposed to go on vacation tomorrow and you operate on a patient. And there are complications or risk of complications, and you're the one who has the relationship with that family," West says. "It is really, really hard for us to say ... 'You're in great hands with the rest of my team.'"

What doctors need, says West, is "a little bit less of the God complex."

We don't have any interests other than medicine

Shah, the infectious disease doctor, frequently posts tongue-in-cheek memes on X (formerly known as Twitter) about the culture of medicine. Unplugging during vacation is one of his favorite topics, despite his struggles to follow his own advice.

His recommendation to doctors is to get a hobby, so we can find something better to do than work all the time.

"Stop taking yourself too seriously," he says. Shah argues that medical training is so busy that many physicians neglect to develop any interests other than medicine. When fully trained doctors are finally finished with their education, he says, they're at a loss for what to do with their newfound freedom.

Since completing his training a few years ago, Shah has committed himself to new hobbies, such as salsa dancing. He has plans to go to a kite festival next year.

Shah has also prioritized making the long trip from Minnesota to see his family in India at least twice a year — a journey that requires significant time off work. He has a trip there planned this month.

"This is the first time in 11 years I'm making it to India in summer so that I can have a mango in May," the peak season for the fruit, Shah says.

Wooten, the pediatrician, agrees. She works hard to develop a full life outside her career.

"Throughout our secondary and medical education, I believe we've really been indoctrinated into putting institutions above ourselves," Wooten adds. "It takes work to overcome that."

Mara Gordon is a family physician in Camden, N.J., and a contributor to NPR. She's on X as @MaraGordonMD .

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• Food Irradiation
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Guidelines for ALARA – As Low As Reasonably Achievable

• ALARA is the guidance for radiation safety.
• The three basic protective measures are time, distance, and shielding.

If there is a radiation emergency, use time, distance, and shielding to protect yourself and your family.

The guiding principle of radiation safety is "ALARA." ALARA stands for "as low as reasonably achievable."

ALARA means avoiding exposure to radiation that does not have a direct benefit to you, even if the dose is small. To do this, you can use three basic protective measures in radiation safety: time , distance , and shielding .

Your action plan

"Time" refers to the amount of time you spend near a radioactive source. Minimize your time near a radioactive source to only what it takes to get the job done. If you are in an area where radiation levels are elevated:

• Complete your work as quickly as possible.
• Leave the area.

There is no reason to spend more time around the radioactive source than necessary.

Example: Imagine spending the day at the beach. If you stay in the sun the entire day, you will likely get sunburned. If are you are there for just a short period of time, you are less likely to get sunburned. The amount of time you are there makes a difference.

“Distance” refers to how close you are to a radioactive source. Maximize your distance from a radioactive source as much as you can. If you increase your distance, you decrease your dose.

Example: Imagine sitting very close to a fireplace. You can feel the heat and may even be uncomfortable. If you go to the other side of the room, you would be more comfortable. So as you move away, the intensity decreases.

To shield yourself from a radiation source, you need to put something between you and the radiation source. The most effective shielding will depend on what kind of radiation the source is emitting. Some radionuclides emit more than one kind of radiation.

Depending on the type of radiation something as thing as a sheet of paper may shield you. Other types may require a few inches of lead or another dense substance.

Time, distance, and shielding: Three principles that work together

You can see how these principles work together when you have an x-ray at your doctor’s office or clinic. The radiation technician goes behind a barrier while taking the x-ray image. The barrier protects them from repeated daily exposure to radiation.

What to do in an emergency

If a radiation emergency happens, get inside a stable building as quickly as possible.

Where (how far away from the radiation source) you need to stay inside will depend on

• The type and magnitude of the incident.
• The amount of damage to critical infrastructure, like roads and bridges.

Emergency officials will instruct you when it is safe to leave the area.

• If you are in a multistory building, move to the center floors.
• If you are in a single story building, stay in the center away from windows, doors, and exterior walls.
• You can also take shelter in a basement.

Using personal protective equipment

If you are a first responder or radiation worker, you can use personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize your exposure.

• Respirators will help protect from inhalation hazards.
• Protective clothing helps keep radioactive material off skin and hair.
• Alarming dosimeters (a personal radiation detector) help manage stay time and track your accumulated doses in an area with elevated radiation levels.

Anybody who works with radiation should work with their safety officers and radiation safety professionals. They should work together to determine PPE and instrumentation needed to stay safe.

If radioactive material gets on skin, clothing, or hair, it's important to get it off as quickly as possible. Learn how to self-decontaminate after a radiation emergency.

Radiation and Your Health

Information about what radiation is and the many sources of radiation in our lives.