Family Emergency Plan UK: A Practical Guide for Every Household

A family emergency plan UK households can actually use does not need to be complicated. It is simply a clear plan that helps your family know what to do if normal routines are disrupted. That might mean a power cut, severe weather, local flooding, illness, transport problems, or a short notice need to leave home.

For most families, emergency planning is not about fear. It is about making everyday life a little more organised. If the lights go out, phones run low, schools close early, or an elderly relative needs help, it is much easier when everyone knows the basics. Who should we contact? Where should we meet? Where are the torches, medicine, documents, pet supplies, and spare chargers?

A good family emergency plan also helps if one adult is not at home. Children, grandparents, babysitters, neighbours, or other relatives may need to follow the plan without guessing. A printed contact sheet, a few agreed meeting points, and some simple household supplies can make a stressful situation calmer and easier to manage.

This guide is written for ordinary UK households, not just experienced preppers. It fits well alongside a wider practical beginner preparedness guide and a sensible UK blackout preparedness guide, but it starts with the basics: people, communication, safety, and the small details that are easy to forget until you need them.

What Is a Family Emergency Plan?

A family emergency plan is a simple written plan that explains what your household should do if something disrupts normal life. It does not need to be dramatic, complicated, or full of expensive kit. It just needs to be clear enough for everyone in the family to understand.

A good family emergency plan should answer a few basic questions:

• Who should we contact first?
• What should we do if we cannot contact each other?
• Where should we meet if we are not all at home?
• Where are important supplies kept?
• Who needs medication, support, or extra help?
• What should we do with pets?
• Where are important documents, keys, and cash?

The aim is not to plan for every possible situation. That would quickly become overwhelming. The aim is to make sensible decisions before a problem happens, so you are not trying to work everything out under pressure.

For example, a family emergency plan can help if there is a power cut while one parent is at work, one child is at school, and another family member is caring for an elderly relative. It gives everyone a shared starting point. It also reduces the risk of people making different assumptions.

Why a Written Plan Matters

Many families already have some kind of informal plan in their heads. You may know who you would call, where the torches are kept, or which neighbour could help. The problem is that this information is often held by one person.

A written plan makes it easier for the whole household to act. It is especially useful if children are old enough to follow simple instructions, or if grandparents, babysitters, friends, or neighbours sometimes help with childcare.

It also helps during stressful moments. Even a small emergency can make it harder to think clearly. A written list of contacts, meeting points, medication, and household details gives you something calm and practical to follow.

Keep the plan somewhere easy to find. A household folder, noticeboard, kitchen drawer, or inside a cupboard can all work well. You may also want a secure digital copy, but do not rely only on a phone or computer. During a power cut or internet outage, a printed copy can be much more useful.

Why Every UK Family Should Have an Emergency Plan

Every family has routines. School runs, work, shopping, medication, childcare, pets, lifts, appointments, and looking after relatives can all depend on things working as expected. A family emergency plan helps when those routines are interrupted.

This does not mean expecting the worst. It simply means having a few sensible answers ready before you need them. If there is a power cut, who checks on elderly relatives? Who can collect a child if they’re sent home early from school? If your phone battery dies, where should your family meet?

Many UK emergencies are local and short term. They may only affect your street, village, town, school, workplace, or transport route. Even so, they can still cause real problems for a household if nobody knows what to do.

It is also worth knowing what to do in the first 24 hours after a disaster, as those early decisions can make a difficult situation much easier to manage.

Common situations include:

• Power cuts
• Storms and high winds
• Local flooding
• Snow and ice
• School closures
• Public transport disruption
• Road closures
• Temporary water supply problems
• Illness or injury
• Problems with card payments or cash machines
• Having to leave home because of fire, flood, or a gas leak

Power cuts are one of the most realistic disruptions for UK households. They can affect lighting, heating, cooking, phone charging, fridges, freezers, alarms, and medical equipment. Our complete UK blackout preparedness guide explains how to prepare for this in more detail.

A family emergency plan also helps you support people outside your home. You may have elderly parents, neighbours, or relatives who rely on regular help. If something happens, it is useful to know who will check on them, how they will be contacted, and what support they may need.

For families with children, the plan can also make emergencies feel less confusing. Children do not need frightening details. They do need calm, simple instructions. Knowing where to go, who can collect them, and which adults they can trust can make a big difference.

Common Emergencies UK Families May Need to Plan For

A family emergency plan works best when it is based on realistic situations. For most UK households, that means short term disruption rather than extreme survival scenarios.

You do not need a different plan for every possible event. Many emergencies create the same basic problems: people being separated, phones not working, travel delays, loss of power, lack of heating, or not being able to get to the shops.

Power Cuts

Power cuts are a good place to start because they can affect so many everyday tasks. Without electricity, you may lose lighting, internet, phone charging, some heating systems, cooking options, fridge and freezer use, and some home security features.

A family power cut plan should cover:

• Where torches and lights are kept
• How phones and power banks will be charged
• What you can eat without using the oven
• How you will keep warm
• What children can do safely in the dark
• Who will check on elderly relatives or neighbours
• What to do if someone relies on powered medical equipment

It is also worth putting basic supplies in one place. A simple home blackout kit can make a power cut much easier to manage, especially if it happens at night.

Severe Weather and Storms

Storms, high winds, heavy rain, snow, and ice can all disrupt normal family life. They may affect school runs, work travel, deliveries, outdoor pets, public transport, and local roads.

A simple severe weather plan might include:

• Checking weather warnings before travel
• Bringing bins, garden furniture, and loose items indoors
• Knowing alternative routes to school, work, or relatives
• Keeping warm clothing, torches, and phone chargers ready
• Checking on elderly relatives before conditions worsen
• Having simple meals available if you cannot go shopping

Severe weather is also a good reminder to keep phones charged when warnings are in place. You may not need to change your whole day, but a little preparation can prevent avoidable stress. Read our guide How to Prepare Your Home for Severe Weather to find out how to make your home better prepared.

Local Flooding

Flooding can be very local. One street may be affected while another nearby area is fine. If your home, school, workplace, or regular route is at risk, it is worth making a simple flood plan. If your home or local area is at risk, our How To Prepare For Floods guide explains the practical steps to take before, during, and after a flood.

Think about:

• Whether your home is in a flood risk area
• Where you would move valuables or documents
• How you would leave if roads were affected
• Which relatives or friends you could stay with
• Where pets would go
• How to avoid walking or driving through floodwater
• Where insurance details are kept

Floodwater can be deeper, faster, and more contaminated than it looks. A good family plan should make it clear that children and adults should avoid entering floodwater wherever possible.

Illness, Injury, or Caring Emergencies

Not every emergency starts outside the home. A parent may become ill, a child may need urgent care, or an elderly relative may suddenly need extra support.

This is where a family emergency plan can be especially useful. It should make it easy to find medical details, contact numbers, medication information, and childcare arrangements.

Include details such as:

• GP surgery
• Pharmacy
• Regular medication
• Allergies
• Medical conditions
• NHS numbers, if known
• Who can collect children from school
• Who has a spare key
• Who can stay with or check on an elderly relative

This information is easy to forget when you are busy or worried. Writing it down now can save time later.

Transport, Fuel, and Payment Disruption

Transport problems can quickly affect family routines. A cancelled train, road closure, fuel shortage, or major traffic incident can leave people stuck away from home.

It helps to agree a few backup options. These might include alternative routes, a nearby relative who can collect children, or a meeting point close to school or work.

Payment disruption is also worth considering. Card machines, cash machines, banking apps, and online payments all rely on systems working properly. Keeping a small amount of cash at home, in a secure place, can be useful during short term disruption. Use small notes and coins if possible, as they are easier to spend.

Start With a Simple Household Information Sheet

A family emergency plan is much easier to use when the key information is written down in one place. This does not need to be formal. A printed sheet in a folder, kitchen drawer, or cupboard is enough for most households.

The aim is to make important details easy to find if someone else needs them. That could be a partner, older child, grandparent, babysitter, neighbour, or friend.

What to Include on Your Household Information Sheet

Start with the basic details for everyone in your home.

Include:

• Full names
• Dates of birth
• Mobile numbers
• Work numbers
• School, nursery, college, or workplace details
• Home address
• Emergency contacts
• GP surgery
• Pharmacy
• Allergies
• Medical conditions
• Regular medication
• Pet details
• Vet details
• Utility supplier details
• Insurance details
• Vehicle registration and insurance details

You may also want to include the location of important household items. This is especially useful if one person usually handles most of the home admin.

Add details such as:

• Stopcock location
• Fuse box location
• Gas shut-off point
• Spare keys
• First aid kit
• Torches and batteries
• Important documents
• Emergency cash
• Medication
• Pet carriers
• Baby supplies
• Power banks and chargers

Keep sensitive details secure. You do not need to write down full bank information, passwords, or anything that would create a security risk. The goal is to help your family respond to an emergency, not to store every private detail in one place.

Where to Keep Your Family Emergency Information

A printed copy is useful because it does not rely on power, Wi-Fi, or a charged phone. Keep it somewhere sensible and easy for trusted family members to find.

Good places include:

• A household folder
• A kitchen drawer
• A noticeboard
• Inside a cupboard door
• With your emergency supplies
• In a family grab bag, if you keep one

You may also want a secure digital copy. This could be saved in encrypted storage or shared with another adult in the household. For some families, it may also make sense to give a copy to a trusted relative.

Review the sheet every few months. Phone numbers, medication, school details, and insurance information can change without you noticing. A quick check twice a year is usually enough.

Emergency Contact Information for Families

Emergency contacts are one of the most important parts of a family emergency plan. If something happens while your family is separated, you need to know who to call, who can help, and who is allowed to make decisions or collect children.

Do not rely only on contacts saved in your phone. Phones can run out of battery, get lost, break, or have no signal. A printed list gives everyone a backup.

Choose Your Main Emergency Contacts

Start with the people who would be most useful in a real situation. For many families, this will include a mix of relatives, neighbours, school contacts, and trusted friends.

Useful emergency contacts may include:

• Both parents or carers
• Grandparents or close relatives
• A trusted neighbour
• A local friend
• Someone who can collect children
• Someone who has a spare key
• School, nursery, or college office
• Workplace contact
• GP surgery
• Pharmacy
• Vet
• Insurance provider
• Utility emergency numbers

It is worth checking that the people on your list are happy to be emergency contacts. This is especially important if they may be asked to collect children, look after pets, check on elderly relatives, or access your home.

Choose an Out-of-Area Contact

An out-of-area contact is someone who lives far enough away that they are unlikely to be affected by the same local problem. This could be a relative or close friend in another town, city, or part of the UK.

This can be useful during local disruption. For example, if there is flooding, a power cut, a major road closure, or mobile network congestion in your area, it may be easier for family members to contact someone outside the affected area.

The idea is simple. If your household cannot reach each other directly, everyone tries to contact the same out-of-area person. That person can then pass on messages and let others know who is safe.

Make sure every family member who is old enough knows:

• The contact’s name
• Their phone number
• When to contact them
• What information to share
• What to do if they cannot get through

Make a Printed Emergency Contact List

Your emergency contact list should be short enough to use quickly, but detailed enough to be helpful. Keep it with your household information sheet and update it whenever numbers change.

A simple contact list could include:

• Main family contact:
• Backup family contact:
• Out-of-area contact:
• Trusted neighbour:
• School or nursery:
• GP surgery:
• Pharmacy:
• Vet:
• Home insurance:
• Car insurance:
• Gas emergency number:
• Electricity network operator:
• Water supplier:
• Local council:
• Breakdown provider:

You may also want smaller copies for bags, wallets, school bags, or a car glove box. For children, keep the information age-appropriate. A simple card with names, phone numbers, allergies, and trusted adults may be enough.

Create a Family Communication Plan

A family emergency plan is only useful if everyone knows how to communicate. In many situations, a quick phone call or message will be enough. In others, phones may be flat, signal may be poor, or people may not be able to answer straight away.

A family communication plan gives everyone a simple order to follow. It does not need to be complicated. The aim is to reduce confusion if people are at school, work, home, or travelling when something happens. Read our Emergency Communication Guide for more about how to communicate with your family in an emergency.

Decide How Your Family Will Check In

Start with the method your family already uses most. This could be phone calls, text messages, WhatsApp, Signal, email, or another trusted app.

Agree a simple order, such as:

• Try a phone call first
• Send a text message if nobody answers
• Post in the family group chat
• Contact the out-of-area contact
• Go to the agreed meeting point if you cannot get through

Text messages can sometimes work when calls struggle, so it is worth including them in your plan. Keep messages short and clear.

Useful check-in messages include:

• I am safe.
• I am at school.
• I am at work.
• I am on my way home.
• I cannot get home yet.
• I need help.
• Call me when you can.
• I am going to the meeting point.

For younger children, this may simply mean knowing which trusted adult to speak to. For teenagers, it may mean knowing when to message, who to contact, and where to go if they cannot reach you.

Plan for Phones Not Working

Many families rely on mobile phones for everything. They are useful, but they should not be the only plan.

Phones may not work because:

• The battery is flat
• There is no signal
• The network is busy
• The phone is lost or damaged
• The power is out and charging is difficult
• Mobile data is not working

Your backup plan should be simple. Choose agreed places to meet, trusted adults to contact, and clear rules for what to do if nobody can be reached.

This is especially important during a power cut. If phones cannot be charged, your family may need to rely on written numbers, meeting points, and a basic plan. Our UK blackout preparedness guide has more advice on planning for power cuts at home.

Make Communication Easy for Children

Children do not need a long or worrying explanation. They need simple steps they can remember.

Depending on their age, children should know:

• Their full name
• Their home address
• A parent or carer’s full name
• At least one phone number
• How to call 999
• Which adults are trusted contacts
• Where to go if they cannot find you
• Who is allowed to collect them from school or activities

Younger children may benefit from practising in a calm way. For example, you could ask, “Who would you speak to if I was late collecting you?” or “Where would we meet if we had to leave the house?”

Avoid making it frightening. Keep it practical and matter-of-fact, like learning a home address or road safety.

Use Written Contact Cards

A written contact card can be useful for children, elderly relatives, and anyone who may struggle to remember numbers under stress.

A child’s contact card could include:

• Child’s name
• Parent or carer names
• Phone numbers
• Emergency contact
• School name
• Allergies or medical needs
• Trusted adults

Keep it simple and avoid adding more personal information than necessary. A copy can go in a school bag, wallet, coat pocket, or travel bag.

Older relatives may also find a contact card useful. It can include family numbers, medication notes, allergies, and GP details. This can help neighbours, carers, or emergency services if they need to assist.

Meeting Points and Evacuation Plans

A family emergency plan should include a few agreed meeting points. This matters because your family may not all be at home when something happens. One person may be at work, children may be at school, and another family member may be travelling or visiting relatives.

Meeting points do not need to be unusual or complicated. They just need to be safe, easy to remember, and suitable for your household.

Choose Three Family Meeting Points

It is useful to choose three different types of meeting point.

First, choose a meeting point at home. This could be the hallway, kitchen, front room, garden, or another safe place. It gives everyone a clear place to gather if there is a power cut, storm, or household problem.

Second, choose a meeting point near home. This is useful if you need to leave the house but stay close by. It could be a trusted neighbour’s house, the end of the road, a local shop, a church, a community centre, or another familiar place.

Third, choose a meeting point away from your immediate area. This could be a relative’s house, a close friend’s home, a library, a supermarket, or another place your family knows well. This is useful if your street or local area is affected by flooding, fire, road closures, or a police cordon.

Your family meeting points could look like this:

• Home meeting point:
• Near-home meeting point:
• Away-from-home meeting point:
• Backup meeting point:

Write them down in your family emergency plan. Make sure children know which places are safe and which adults they can speak to.

When Might Your Family Need to Leave Home?

Most household emergencies can be managed at home. Sometimes, though, it may be safer to leave for a short time.

Reasons to leave home could include:

• Fire
• Flooding
• Gas leak
• Unsafe building damage
• Police advice
• Nearby chemical spill or smoke
• Long power cut affecting vulnerable family members
• Loss of heating during very cold weather
• Caring or medical needs that cannot be managed at home

You do not need to pack for every possible situation. Focus on the things your family would genuinely need if you had to leave quickly and stay elsewhere for a few hours or overnight.

Make a Simple Leaving-Home Checklist

A leaving-home checklist helps you avoid forgetting important items when you are in a rush. Keep it short and realistic. People and safety come first.

Your checklist might include:

• People
• Pets
• Keys
• Phones
• Chargers
• Wallet or purse
• Medication
• Glasses or hearing aids
• Baby supplies
• Warm clothing
• Important documents
• Small amount of cash
• Pet lead, carrier, food, and medication
• Mobility aids
• Comfort item for children

You may want to keep some of these items together in a household folder or small emergency bag. This does not need to be a specialist survival bag. For many families, it is simply a practical place for copies of documents, contact details, a torch, spare charger, medication notes, and other essentials.

Think About Transport

Your evacuation plan should include how you would leave if you had to. This may be by car, public transport, taxi, walking, or getting help from a relative or neighbour.

Think about:

• Who can drive?
• Who has car seats?
• Who could collect children?
• Which relatives or friends could help?
• Which routes might flood or become blocked?
• Where could you stay overnight?
• How would pets travel?
• What if public transport was disrupted?

For families without a car, this planning is even more important. Make a note of local taxi numbers, nearby relatives, bus routes, train stations, and trusted people who may be able to help.

Emergency Supplies for Families

Emergency supplies do not need to take over your home. For most families, the aim is simply to keep a few useful items in easy reach. You may already own many of them. The important thing is knowing where they are and checking they still work.

Try to think in terms of normal household resilience rather than specialist kit. If there is a power cut, a storm, a water supply problem, or a short period when you cannot get to the shops, what would your family need to stay safe and comfortable?

A good starting point is to cover lighting, communication, warmth, food, water, first aid, hygiene, medication, pets, and basic documents. You can also read our guide to How to Prepare Your Home.

Basic Family Emergency Supplies Checklist

Use this checklist as a starting point. Adapt it to your household, your budget, and the people you care for.

• Torches or headtorch
• Spare batteries
• Rechargeable lights
• Power banks
• Phone charging cables
• Battery or wind-up radio
• First aid kit
• Basic medicines
• Regular medication
• Bottled or stored water
• Easy food
• Manual tin opener
• Warm blankets
• Spare warm clothing
• Wet wipes
• Hand sanitiser
• Toilet roll
• Bin bags
• Nappies and baby supplies
• Period products
• Pet food
• Pet medication
• Copies of important documents
• Emergency contact list
• Small amount of cash

You do not need to buy everything at once. Add one or two items during your normal shop, then build up slowly. Preparedness is much easier when it feels like normal household organisation.

If you want to get organised without spending too much at once, our prepping on a budget guide shares practical ways to build up your household supplies gradually.

Keep Supplies Somewhere Easy to Find

Emergency supplies are only useful if you can find them quickly. A torch buried in a garage, a flat power bank, or batteries in three different drawers will not help much at the time.

Choose one or two sensible places for key items. For example, you might keep torches and batteries in a kitchen cupboard, documents in a household folder, and extra food and water in a pantry, under-stairs cupboard, or utility room.

For power cuts, it is worth keeping lighting and charging items together. A simple home blackout kit can include torches, batteries, power banks, a radio, and other items that help during a loss of electricity.

Match Supplies to Your Family

Every household is different. A young couple, a family with toddlers, a household with teenagers, and someone caring for an elderly parent will all have different needs.

Think about:

• Babies and toddlers
• Children with sensory needs
• Teenagers who travel alone
• Elderly relatives
• Disabled family members
• Medical conditions
• Allergies
• Pets
• Dietary needs
• People who work shifts
• Family members without access to a car

Your plan should fit real life. For example, if a child will only eat certain safe foods, include some of those. If someone uses a hearing aid, spare batteries may be more important than another torch. If you have a dog, pet food and a lead should be part of the plan.

Check Supplies Regularly

Emergency supplies should not be forgotten in a box for years. A quick check every few months is enough for most families.

Check that:

• Torches work
• Batteries are in date
• Power banks are charged
• Food is still usable
• Water is still suitable
• Medication details are up to date
• First aid items have not expired
• Baby clothes, nappies, and supplies still fit your child’s age
• Pet food and medication are current
• Contact details are correct

A good routine is to check your family emergency supplies in spring and autumn. The autumn check is especially useful before winter storms, cold weather, and darker evenings.

Water Planning for a Family Emergency

Water is one of the most important parts of a family emergency plan. Most of the time, we do not think about it because clean water is always there. When a water main bursts, pipes freeze, or there is a local supply issue, it can become a problem very quickly.

A family water plan does not need to be complicated. Start with a practical amount of stored water, then build up if you have the space. The aim is to cover drinking, basic hygiene, medication, baby needs, and pets.

For a fuller breakdown, see our emergency water storage guide, which explains how to store water safely at home.

How Much Water Should a Family Store?

The right amount depends on your household size, storage space, and individual needs. A good starting point is to keep enough drinking water for at least a short disruption. Once that feels manageable, you can build towards a larger supply.

Think about:

• Drinking water for each person
• Water for making baby formula
• Water for pets
• Water for taking medication
• Basic hand washing
• Basic food preparation
• Extra water during hot weather
• Extra water for illness

For many UK households, a few 5 litre bottles are easier to store and move than one large container. They can fit in a cupboard, under the stairs, in a garage, or in a utility room. Smaller bottles may be easier for children or elderly relatives to use.

Store Water Somewhere Sensible

Stored water should be kept in a cool, dark place where it will not be damaged. Avoid leaving bottles in direct sunlight or anywhere they may freeze, leak, or be knocked over.

Good places may include:

• Kitchen cupboards
• Utility rooms
• Under-stairs cupboards
• Garages, if suitable
• Pantries
• Storage boxes indoors

If you store water in a garage or shed, think about temperature changes. Bottles may be affected by heat, frost, or pests. Indoor storage is often more reliable if you have the space.

Rotate Your Stored Water

Water storage works best when it becomes part of normal household routines. If you use bottled water, rotate it into everyday use before it gets too old, then replace it during your next shop.

You could check your water supply:

• Every three to six months
• Before winter
• Before a forecast heatwave
• When you check your emergency supplies
• When you update your family emergency plan

Write the date on bottles or keep newer ones at the back and older ones at the front. This makes rotation easier.

Do Not Forget Toilets and Hygiene

A water supply problem is not only about drinking water. Hygiene can become awkward very quickly, especially in a family home.

Think about what you would do for:

• Hand washing
• Brushing teeth
• Cleaning baby bottles
• Wiping surfaces
• Flushing toilets
• Pet bowls
• Basic washing

Wet wipes, hand sanitiser, bin bags, and a washing-up bowl can all be useful during a short water disruption. They are not a replacement for clean water, but they can make the situation easier to manage.

For a fuller list of practical items, see our emergency hygiene supplies guide, which covers the household basics that help during power cuts, water supply issues and short-term disruption.

Food Planning for Families

Food planning is an important part of a family emergency plan, but it should still feel normal. You do not need unusual survival food or specialist rations. For most UK families, the best emergency food is ordinary supermarket food that your household already eats.

The aim is to have enough simple food at home to manage a short disruption. That could mean bad weather, illness, a power cut, transport problems, or not being able to get to the shops for a few days.

A sensible family food plan should cover:

• Meals that are easy to prepare
• Food that does not need much cooking
• Snacks for children
• Baby food, if needed
• Food for elderly relatives
• Dietary needs and allergies
• Pet food
• A manual tin opener
• A way to make hot drinks, if safe and suitable

For a larger list of practical supermarket options, see our UK Prepper’s Food List, which covers long lasting foods to store for emergencies.

Choose Food Your Family Already Eats

The easiest way to build emergency food supplies is to buy a little more of the foods you already use. This keeps costs down and avoids waste.

For example, if your family already eats pasta, rice, beans, soup, oats, crackers, cereal bars, or tinned fruit, those are good places to start. Add one or two extra items to your normal shop, then rotate them into everyday meals before they go out of date.

This is better than buying a box of food nobody likes. During a stressful day, familiar food can be especially helpful for children, elderly relatives, and anyone with sensory needs or a restricted diet.

Keep Some No-Cook and Low-Cook Options

A power cut or gas problem can make cooking harder. Even if you normally cook from scratch, it is useful to have a few meals and snacks that need little or no preparation.

Useful options include:

• Tinned soup
• Baked beans
• Tinned pasta
• Tinned fish
• Rice pouches
• Crackers
• Oatcakes
• Peanut butter
• Cereal bars
• Dried fruit
• Nuts, if suitable for your household
• Tinned fruit
• Long-life milk
• Instant porridge pots
• Baby food pouches
• Pet food

If you have a safe alternative cooking method, such as a camping stove used outdoors, you may have more options. Make sure you understand how to use it safely. Never use outdoor cooking equipment indoors, in a tent, or in a poorly ventilated space.

Plan for Children, Allergies and Special Diets

Family food planning should be based on the people in your home. A general checklist is useful, but your own needs matter more.

Think about:

• Baby formula
• Weaning foods
• Toddler snacks
• School-age children’s safe foods
• Gluten-free food
• Dairy-free food
• Nut allergies
• Diabetes
• Vegetarian or vegan diets
• Texture or sensory needs
• Elderly relatives with smaller appetites
• Medication that must be taken with food

If someone in your household has a serious allergy or medical diet, keep safe food clearly labelled. Do not assume you will be able to find suitable replacements during disruption.

Rotate Food Into Normal Meals

Emergency food should not sit forgotten at the back of a cupboard. A simple rotation system keeps it fresh and saves money.

Try this approach:

• Store foods your family already uses
• Put newer items at the back
• Move older items to the front
• Use older items in normal meals
• Replace them during your next shop
• Check dates every few months

This is sometimes called “store what you eat, eat what you store”. You do not need to use the phrase in the article if it feels too prepper-focused, but the idea is useful for ordinary families.

A small, well-rotated food supply is better than a large cupboard full of food nobody wants to eat.

Medication and Medical Information

Medication and medical information are easy to overlook when making a family emergency plan. They are also some of the most useful details to have written down.

For a more detailed look at medication, first aid, prescriptions and household health planning, see our medical preparedness guide.

If someone becomes ill, has to leave home quickly, or needs help from another adult, clear medical notes can save time. This is especially important for children, elderly relatives, disabled family members, and anyone with regular medication or allergies.

Make a Family Medication List

Create a simple medication list for each person who needs one. Keep it with your household information sheet and update it whenever something changes.

Include:

• Name of medication
• Dose
• When it is taken
• What it is for
• Prescribing doctor or clinic
• Pharmacy details
• Repeat prescription details
• Allergies
• Medical conditions
• NHS number, if known
• Emergency contact details

You do not need to write down private details that are not useful in an emergency. Focus on the information another trusted adult, carer, pharmacist, or medical professional may need.

Think About Medical Needs During Disruption

Some medical needs become harder to manage during a power cut, water supply issue, travel problem, or bad weather. A little planning can make these situations easier.

Think about:

• Repeat prescriptions
• Inhalers
• EpiPens
• Insulin or refrigerated medicines
• Glasses
• Contact lenses and solution
• Hearing aid batteries
• Mobility aids
• Walking sticks or frames
• Baby formula
• Specialist feeding equipment
• Sanitary and period products
• Continence products
• Medical devices that need power

For a practical list of useful over-the-counter items, see our essential medicines to keep at home for emergencies guide.

If someone in your household relies on powered medical equipment, make this a priority in your emergency plan. Speak to your medical provider, energy supplier, or relevant support service about suitable backup arrangements.

Keep a Basic First Aid and Care Kit

A first aid kit is useful for everyday accidents as well as emergencies. Keep it somewhere easy to find and make sure older children know where it is, if appropriate.

For a fuller list of useful first aid items, see our first aid kit for emergencies guide, which covers supplies for home preparedness and unexpected disruption.

A basic family first aid and care kit may include:

• Plasters
• Sterile dressings
• Bandages
• Medical tape
• Antiseptic wipes
• Tweezers
• Digital thermometer
• Disposable gloves
• Pain relief suitable for your household
• Antihistamines, if suitable
• Rehydration sachets
• Burn gel or dressings
• Any household-specific medical items

Check expiry dates every few months. Replace anything that has been used, damaged, or gone out of date.

For specific medical conditions, medication storage, or first aid advice, speak to a pharmacist, GP, or qualified medical professional. Your family emergency plan should support proper medical care, not replace it.

Emergency Planning for Children

Children do not need to be frightened by emergency planning. They just need simple, calm information that helps them know what to do. The aim is to make them feel safer, not worried.

For younger children, this might mean knowing their full name, who they can ask for help, and where to go if they cannot find you. For older children and teenagers, it may include phone numbers, meeting points, travel plans, and what to do if they are at school, out with friends, or on the way home.

Keep the Plan Calm and Age-Appropriate

How much you explain will depend on your child’s age and personality. Some children like details. Others only need a few clear instructions.

You could frame it as normal family organisation. For example:

• What we do if the lights go out
• Who can collect you from school
• Where we meet if we are separated
• Who you can speak to if you need help
• What to do if your phone battery dies
• Where your contact card is kept

Avoid dramatic language. Children do not need to hear every possible thing that could go wrong. They just need to know the next safe step.

Make a Child Emergency Contact Card

A contact card can be useful for school bags, coats, wallets, sports bags, or travel bags. Keep it simple and only include information that is genuinely useful.

A child emergency contact card could include:

• Child’s full name
• Parent or carer names
• Parent or carer phone numbers
• Home address, if appropriate
• Emergency contact
• School or nursery name
• Allergies
• Medical needs
• Trusted adults who may collect them

For younger children, you may want to practise using the card in a calm way. Show them where it is and explain that it is there to help a trusted adult contact you if needed.

Talk About Trusted Adults

Children should know which adults they can go to if they need help. This may include relatives, teachers, neighbours, family friends, childminders, or parents of close friends.

Make it clear who is allowed to collect them from school, clubs, or activities. If there are people who should not collect them, make sure the school or childcare provider has that information through the proper channels.

This is also a good time to check that emergency contact details held by schools, nurseries, clubs, and childminders are up to date.

Include Comfort Items

Comfort items can make a difficult situation much easier for children. This is especially true during a power cut, evacuation, long journey, or overnight stay away from home.

Useful items may include:

• Favourite toy
• Small blanket
• Book
• Colouring book and pencils
• Headphones
• Fidget toy
• Spare clothes
• Snacks
• Small game
• Night light or battery light

These items do not need to be kept in a special emergency bag. You may already have them around the home. The important thing is knowing what helps your child feel calm and where to find it quickly.

Help Teenagers Plan for Being Away From Home

Teenagers may be more independent, so their plan may look different. They may travel alone, visit friends, go to clubs, or work part-time.

Talk through simple questions such as:

• What would you do if your phone died?
• How would you get home if buses or trains were cancelled?
• Where would you go if you could not get home?
• Who could you contact apart from us?
• Do you know the family meeting points?
• Do you have emergency cash or a backup travel option?
• Do you know important phone numbers without relying on your phone?

This does not need to be a formal talk. It can be part of normal conversations about travel, safety, and getting home.

Emergency Planning for Elderly Relatives or Vulnerable Family Members

A family emergency plan should include people who may need extra help during disruption. This could be an elderly parent, a disabled family member, someone with a long-term health condition, or a relative who lives alone.

Some people may cope well in normal daily life but need more support during a power cut, storm, flood, illness, or transport problem. Planning ahead makes it easier to check in, offer help, and avoid last-minute confusion.

Think About What Support They May Need

Start by thinking through their normal routine. Then consider what would become difficult if power, heating, water, transport, or phone signal were affected.

Useful questions include:

• Do they take regular medication?
• Do they need help ordering or collecting prescriptions?
• Do they rely on powered medical equipment?
• Do they need heating to stay well?
• Can they prepare food without help?
• Can they safely use stairs in a power cut?
• Do they have a charged phone or backup charger?
• Do they have a working torch?
• Do they have enough food and water for a short disruption?
• Do they have carers who visit?
• Who has a spare key?
• Who would check on them if phones were not working?

If someone relies on medical equipment, regular care, or essential support, make sure their plan is specific. It may also be worth speaking to their care provider, GP surgery, pharmacist, local council, or energy supplier to check what support is available.

Make a Check-In Plan

A check-in plan should make it clear who contacts or visits the person during an emergency. This avoids everyone assuming someone else has done it.

Agree:

• Who calls first
• Who visits if they cannot be reached
• Who has a spare key
• Who can help with food or water
• Who can collect medication
• Who can help with transport
• Who contacts carers or support services
• Who updates the rest of the family

If several relatives are involved, keep the plan simple. One person can be the main contact, with one backup. During a stressful situation, a clear chain of communication is often easier than a large group chat where everyone is asking the same questions.

Plan for Power Cuts and Heating

Power cuts can be harder for elderly or vulnerable people. They may affect heating, lighting, stairlifts, telecare alarms, phone charging, medical equipment, fridge storage for medicine, and the ability to cook.

If this applies to someone in your family, their plan should include:

• Easy-to-reach torches
• Warm blankets and clothing
• Charged power banks
• A simple phone list
• Food that is easy to prepare
• A way to make hot drinks, if safe
• Medication storage needs
• A backup place to stay if their home becomes too cold
• Details of any care services or support providers

Our guide on how to prepare for a power cut covers practical blackout planning in more detail, including lighting, heating, cooking, communication, and household safety.

Keep Important Information Accessible

If a relative needs support, keep their key information somewhere that trusted people can find quickly. This does not mean leaving private details in the open. It means making sure the right people know where to look.

Useful details include:

• Full name and address
• Emergency contacts
• GP surgery
• Pharmacy
• Medication list
• Allergies
• Medical conditions
• Care provider details
• Mobility needs
• Key safe details, if used
• Pet details, if relevant
• Utility supplier information
• Insurance details

Review this information regularly. Medication, care arrangements, phone numbers, and support needs can change over time.

Pets and Animals in a Family Emergency Plan

Pets are part of the family, so they should be included in your family emergency plan. A power cut, flood, storm, illness, or short notice trip away from home can all affect how you care for them. Planning for pets does not need to be complicated. The main things are food, water, medication, safe transport, vet details, and knowing where they could go if you had to leave home.

For a more detailed pet-specific plan, see our emergency preparedness for pet owners guide, which covers food, water, medication, transport and pet safety during disruption.

Pet Emergency Checklist

Keep a simple list of what each pet needs. This is useful if another family member, neighbour, or relative has to help.

Your pet checklist could include:

• Pet name
• Species and breed
• Food and feeding routine
• Water needs
• Medication
• Vet details
• Microchip number
• Insurance details
• Vaccination details
• Lead, harness, or carrier
• Bedding
• Litter, waste bags, or cleaning supplies
• Favourite toy or comfort item
• Recent photo

A recent photo can help if a pet goes missing. It is also useful if someone else needs to identify or collect them.

Keep Basic Pet Supplies Ready

Try to keep a small buffer of the pet supplies you already use. This is especially useful if bad weather, illness, or transport problems make it hard to get to the shops.

Useful pet supplies may include:

• Spare food
• Bottled or stored water
• Medication
• Treats
• Bowls
• Lead and collar
• Harness
• Carrier
• Waste bags
• Cat litter
• Bedding
• Cleaning wipes
• Towel

Rotate pet food in the same way as household food. Use the oldest first and replace it during your normal shop.

Plan for Leaving Home With Pets

If you had to leave home because of fire, flooding, a gas leak, or another local emergency, think about where your pets could go.

Ask yourself:

• Which relatives or friends could take them?
• Would your planned meeting point allow pets?
• Do you have a suitable carrier?
• Can you transport all pets safely?
• Are vaccination records easy to find?
• Do you have enough food for a day or two?
• Does your pet need medication?
• What would you do if you were not at home?

Keep carriers and leads somewhere easy to reach. If they are buried in the loft or back of the garage, they may be difficult to find when you need them.

Do Not Forget Small Animals

Small animals can be easy to overlook in an emergency plan. Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, birds, reptiles, and fish may all need specific care.

Think about:

• Heating needs
• Food
• Water
• Bedding
• Cages or travel boxes
• Medication
• Cleaning supplies
• Power needs for heat lamps, filters, or pumps
• Who could care for them if you were away

If an animal relies on electricity for heat, filtration, or other essential care, include that in your power cut plan. This may be especially important for reptiles, tropical fish, or animals with specialist needs.

Important Documents, Cash and Household Details

Important documents are easy to forget until you suddenly need them. During a family emergency, you may need insurance details, medical information, identification, utility contacts, or proof of address quickly.

You do not need to keep every document in one place. The aim is to know what matters, where it is kept, and how to access it if normal routines are disrupted.

Documents to Keep Accessible

Make a simple list of your most important household documents. You may want paper copies of some items and secure digital copies of others.

Useful documents and details may include:

• Passports
• Driving licences
• Birth certificates
• Marriage or civil partnership certificate
• Tenancy agreement or mortgage details
• Home insurance
• Car insurance
• Pet insurance
• Life insurance
• Medical letters
• Prescription details
• Emergency contact list
• School or childcare details
• Utility supplier details
• Vehicle logbook details
• Breakdown cover details

You do not need to carry all of these around. For most families, a household folder and a secure digital backup will be enough.

Keep Sensitive Information Secure

Be careful with anything that could be used for fraud or identity theft. Do not leave passwords, bank logins, full card numbers, or highly sensitive personal details in an obvious place.

A good approach is to keep a basic emergency folder at home, then store sensitive digital copies in a secure place. Make sure another trusted adult knows how to access the information if needed.

You may also want to keep a short “where things are” list. This can tell a trusted person where to find documents, keys, medication, pet carriers, or emergency supplies without listing private details on the sheet itself.

Keep a Small Amount of Cash

Most of us use cards, phones, and online banking for everyday payments. They are convenient, but they can be affected by power cuts, card machine problems, internet outages, banking app issues, or local disruption.

Keeping a small amount of cash at home can be useful for short term emergencies. Use small notes and coins if possible, as they are easier to spend.

Cash may help with:

• Taxi fares
• Parking
• Small local shops
• Fuel
• Snacks or drinks
• Emergency supplies
• Helping a child or relative get home

Store it securely and only keep an amount that feels sensible for your household. This is not about stockpiling money. It is simply a practical backup.

Know Your Home

A family emergency plan should also include basic household details. These are the things you may need quickly if there is a leak, power problem, gas issue, or urgent repair.

Make sure responsible adults know:

• Where the stopcock is
• Where the fuse box is
• Where the gas shut-off point is
• How to turn off water if needed
• How to reset a tripped switch
• Where spare keys are kept
• Where the boiler instructions are
• Who to call for urgent repairs
• Which utility companies supply your home
• Where torches and first aid supplies are kept

If older children are mature enough, they may also benefit from knowing some of these basics. Keep it age-appropriate and safe. For example, they might need to know where torches are kept, but not how to deal with a gas issue.

Vehicle Preparedness for Families

A family emergency plan should include the journeys you make most often. For many households, that means school runs, work travel, supermarket trips, visiting relatives, and longer journeys during weekends or holidays.

Vehicle preparedness does not need to mean carrying lots of specialist equipment. It is about having a few useful items in the car and making sure you have options if a journey is delayed or disrupted.

This is especially helpful during bad weather, road closures, public transport problems, or long traffic delays.

Family Car Emergency Checklist

A small car kit can make delays much easier to manage, especially with children, elderly relatives, or pets.

Useful items include:

• Phone charging cable
• Power bank
• Torch
• First aid kit
• Water
• Snacks
• Blanket
• Spare warm layer
• Hi-vis vest
• Ice scraper
• De-icer
• Umbrella
• Wet wipes
• Tissues
• Hand sanitiser
• Nappy supplies, if needed
• Child medication, if appropriate
• Pet lead or travel bowl, if needed
• Breakdown cover details
• Paper map or written directions for key places

You do not need to keep a huge amount in the car. Focus on what would help your family during a delay of a few hours, a breakdown, or a disrupted journey home.

Plan for Regular Family Journeys

Think about the journeys your family does every week. These are the routes most likely to matter during disruption.

Common journeys may include:

• School or nursery
• Work
• Elderly relatives
• Childcare
• Supermarket
• Pharmacy
• Clubs and activities
• Medical appointments
• Pet care or vet appointments

For each important journey, think about a backup option. Is there another route? Could someone else collect a child? Is there a safe place to wait? Could you walk part of the route if needed?

For teenagers who travel alone, talk through what they should do if buses, trains, or lifts are disrupted. Make sure they know who to contact and where they could go safely.

Keep the Car Ready for Short Notice Problems

Small habits can make family travel easier during disruption.

Try to:

• Avoid letting fuel run very low
• Keep washer fluid topped up
• Check tyre pressure regularly
• Keep coats or blankets available in cold weather
• Charge phones before long journeys
• Keep breakdown details accessible
• Check weather warnings before travelling
• Allow extra time during storms, snow, or flooding

If you do not drive, adapt this section to your own situation. Keep taxi numbers, public transport options, walking routes, and trusted lift options in your family emergency plan. The goal is not to rely on a car. It is to know how your family would get home, reach relatives, or collect children if normal transport plans failed.

How to Make Your Family Emergency Plan in One Evening

A family emergency plan can sound like a big job, but it does not need to be. You can make a useful first version in one evening. It will not be perfect, and it does not need to be. The aim is to get the most important details out of your head and onto paper.

Once the basics are written down, you can improve the plan over time. A simple plan you actually use is better than a perfect plan you never finish.

Step 1: Write Down Key Contacts

Start with the people and services your family may need during disruption.

Write down:

• Parents or carers
• Children’s schools, nurseries, or colleges
• Work contacts
• Grandparents or close relatives
• Trusted neighbours
• Local friends
• Out-of-area contact
• GP surgery
• Pharmacy
• Vet
• Insurance providers
• Utility suppliers
• Breakdown provider

Check that the phone numbers are correct. It is also worth asking your chosen emergency contacts if they are happy to be included, especially if they may be asked to collect children or help with pets.

Step 2: Agree Your Communication Plan

Decide how your family will check in if something happens.

Your plan might be:

• Call first
• Text if nobody answers
• Use the family group chat
• Contact the out-of-area contact
• Go to the agreed meeting point if phones are not working

Keep this simple. Everyone in the household should be able to understand it. For younger children, this may only mean knowing which trusted adult to speak to.

Step 3: Choose Your Meeting Points

Pick three meeting points and write them down.

Choose:

• One meeting point at home
• One meeting point near home
• One meeting point away from your local area

Make sure the places are familiar and realistic. A neighbour’s house, local shop, relative’s home, community centre, or supermarket car park may be more useful than somewhere hard to reach.

Step 4: Check Your Supplies

Walk around your home and check what you already have. You may find that you own many useful items already.

Look for:

• Torches
• Batteries
• Power banks
• Phone chargers
• First aid kit
• Basic medicines
• Regular medication
• Bottled or stored water
• Easy food
• Manual tin opener
• Warm blankets
• Hygiene supplies
• Pet supplies
• Important documents
• Emergency cash

Make a short shopping list for anything obvious that is missing. Do not feel you need to buy everything at once. Add items gradually during normal shopping.

Step 5: Add Medical, Child and Pet Details

Next, add the details that are specific to your household.

This may include:

• Medication lists
• Allergies
• Medical conditions
• NHS numbers, if known
• Baby supplies
• Child contact cards
• School collection arrangements
• Elderly relatives who need checking on
• Pet food and medication
• Vet details
• Mobility aids or care needs

These details are easy to overlook, but they often matter most during a real disruption.

Step 6: Print It and Put It Somewhere Useful

When your plan is finished, print at least one copy. A digital version is useful, but a printed copy works during a power cut, internet outage, or flat phone battery.

Good places to keep it include:

• Household folder
• Kitchen drawer
• Noticeboard
• Inside a cupboard door
• With emergency supplies
• In a family grab bag, if you keep one

Tell the household where the plan is kept. If nobody knows where to find it, it will not help when needed.

Step 7: Make It Easy to Update

Do not treat your family emergency plan as a one-off task. It should change when your household changes.

Update it when:

• Phone numbers change
• Children change school
• Medication changes
• You move house
• Insurance details change
• A new pet joins the family
• A relative needs more support
• Your usual travel routine changes

A quick review every six months is usually enough. You could do this in spring and autumn, or when you check smoke alarms, batteries, and household supplies.

Printable Family Emergency Checklist

A family emergency plan is much easier to use when it is written down. You do not want important details scattered across phones, notebooks, school emails, and kitchen drawers when something goes wrong.

To make this easier, we have created a printable family emergency checklist for UK households. You can print it, tick off each section, and keep it with your household folder, emergency supplies, or family noticeboard.

The checklist covers:

• Family contact details
• Communication plans
• Meeting points
• Emergency supplies
• Water and food
• Medication and care needs
• Children
• Pets
• Important documents and cash
• Home safety details
• Vehicle and travel planning

You do not need to complete everything at once. Start with the sections that matter most: contact details, meeting points, medication, and basic supplies. Then update the checklist as your household changes.

📄 Download the printable family emergency checklist.

Keep a printed copy somewhere easy to find. A digital version is useful too, but a paper copy can be more helpful during a power cut, internet outage, or flat phone battery.

How Often Should You Review Your Family Emergency Plan?

A family emergency plan does not need constant attention. Once the main details are written down, a quick review every few months is usually enough.

The easiest approach is to check it twice a year. Spring and autumn work well for many households. An autumn check is especially useful before winter storms, darker evenings, colder weather, and possible power cuts.

What to Check During a Review

Start with the details that change most often.

Check that:

• Phone numbers are still correct
• School, nursery, college, or work details are up to date
• Emergency contacts are still happy to help
• Medication lists are current
• Allergies and medical details are correct
• GP, pharmacy, and vet details are still right
• Insurance and utility details are up to date
• Meeting points still make sense
• Children understand the plan in an age-appropriate way
• Elderly relatives or vulnerable family members are still covered
• Pet details are current

You should also check your emergency supplies at the same time.

Look at:

• Torch batteries
• Power banks
• Stored water
• Food dates
• First aid supplies
• Basic medicines
• Baby supplies
• Pet food
• Emergency cash
• Car supplies

This does not need to take long. A 20-minute check twice a year can keep your family emergency plan useful without making it feel like a big job.

Update the Plan When Life Changes

Some changes should trigger a quick update straight away. Do not wait for your next review if key details have changed.

Update your plan when:

• You move house
• A child starts a new school
• Phone numbers change
• Medication changes
• A new baby arrives
• A new pet joins the household
• An elderly relative needs more support
• A regular carer changes
• You change jobs or working patterns
• Your usual travel routes change
• Insurance or utility providers change

The best family emergency plan is one that fits your real household. Keep it simple, keep it current, and make sure the people who need it know where to find it.

Family Emergency Plan FAQs

Make Your Family Emergency Plan Simple Enough to Use

A family emergency plan UK households can rely on does not have to be complicated. The most useful plans are usually simple, clear, and easy to find.

Start with the basics. Write down important contacts, choose meeting points, agree how your family will communicate, and keep a few essential supplies at home. Add medication details, pet information, important documents, and transport plans where they apply to your household.

You do not need to prepare for every possible situation. Focus on realistic problems such as power cuts, storms, flooding, water supply issues, illness, school closures, travel disruption, or having to leave home at short notice.

The aim is not to worry your family. It is to make everyday emergencies easier to manage. A calm plan, a printed checklist, and a few sensible supplies can help everyone feel more organised, more confident, and more resilient.

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