Prepared Home: a short guide to building a household emergency plan

Why prepare a plan?

General instructions are not always enough when an emergency actually happens. A household plan helps everyone know in advance where to take shelter, how to stay in contact, who is responsible for each task, what equipment is missing, what to do if you need to leave home, who can help, and which parts of the plan need to be practiced.

You can prepare the plan in one sitting or complete one step at a time. It is recommended to involve all household members according to their age and abilities.

1. Household members and roles

Write down who takes part in the plan and what needs to be known about each person:

• where they are usually located during the day;
• how they can be contacted;
• whether they need help reaching the protected space or leaving home;
• whether they depend on essential medical or functional equipment that requires electricity or charging;
• whether they have a sensory, mobility, cognitive, or language-related difficulty;
• which medications or essential personal items they need.

Then divide responsibilities among the adults, for example:

• checking official instructions;
• contacting family members;
• contacting children's schools or care settings;
• checking supplies;
• keeping documents and the contact list;
• being responsible for the go-bag.

Children can be given simple age-appropriate tasks, such as taking a bottle of water, a contact card, or a comfort item.

At the end of this step: it should be clear who is included in the plan, what matters for each person, and who helps whom.

2. Protection

Choose the protected space according to Home Front Command instructions and check it in practice.

Record:

• which protected space was selected;
• where it is located;
• the warning-to-shelter time in your area;
• the source of the information and when it was checked;
• who is responsible for opening the space or ensuring access to it.

Walk the route to the protected space and check:

• that the route is clear;
• that every household member knows how to get there;
• that it is possible to reach it in the dark;
• that the door opens;
• that there is room for everyone;
• that there are no objects that could fall or obstruct access;
• that essential equipment is accessible;
• that any required key is kept in a known place.

At the end of this step: it should be clear where you take shelter, how you reach it, and what still needs to be fixed or checked.

3. Communication and schools/care settings

Decide how to act when household members are apart or communication networks are overloaded.

Choose:

• a primary contact;
• a backup contact;
• a short, pre-agreed message meaning “I am safe”;
• a short, pre-agreed message asking for help;
• how long to wait before trying to make contact again;
• a nearby meeting point;
• an alternative meeting point.

When there is no contact:

• each person stays in a safe place and follows Home Front Command instructions;
• do not automatically go out to search for another household member;
• try to send a message to the primary contact;
• try again after the agreed time;
• go to a meeting point only when it is safe to do so.

If there are children, also check the procedures of their schools or care settings, contact details, and authorized pickup arrangements. If a child sleeps at home only part of the week, make sure the plan, contacts, and supplies also work at the child's other place of stay, without recording personal information that is not needed.

At the end of this step: it should be clear how you stay in contact, what the agreed messages are, when to try again, and where to meet.

4. Essential supplies

Check supplies according to the needs of your household, not only against a generic list.

Water and food

• drinking water;
• food that does not require refrigeration;
• food that can be eaten without cooking;
• food suitable for children or special dietary needs;
• a manual can opener, if needed;
• suitable eating utensils.

Lighting and power

• a flashlight;
• alternative lighting;
• appropriate batteries;
• portable power banks;
• the right charging cables;
• lighting in the protected space.

Information and communication

• a way to receive official instructions;
• a printed telephone list;
• a battery-operated radio, if available;
• copies of essential information.

Basic health needs

• a first-aid kit;
• personal medications;
• a medication or prescription list;
• spare glasses;
• essential medical or functional equipment.

Hygiene and daily functioning

• toilet paper;
• wipes or cleaning supplies;
• garbage bags;
• personal hygiene items;
• items for children.

For every missing item, decide who will obtain it and by when.

At the end of this step: it should be clear what you already have, what is missing, and who is responsible for completing it.

5. Leaving home

Prepare in advance a short list of items to take if you have to leave quickly.

Items worth preparing in advance

• a contact list;
• copies of selected documents;
• a flashlight;
• a portable power bank;
• water;
• children's supplies;
• medications and essential equipment;
• a light personal bag.

Items to take at the last moment

• phone;
• wallet;
• keys;
• glasses;
• charger;
• water bottle;
• an essential personal item.

Decide who is responsible for each bag or item. Check how you would leave if someone needs assistance, and how pets will be handled.

At the end of this step: it should be clear what you take, who takes it, and where you can go safely.

6. Support network

Write down two or three people you can contact if you need help.

Help may include:

• checking in;
• transportation;
• bringing supplies;
• helping children or a person who needs assistance;
• caring for a pet;
• passing on information;
• temporary accommodation.

Do not rely on someone before coordinating the role with them and obtaining their agreement. Prepare an alternative in case they are unavailable.

You can also check whether there is a neighbor, relative, or other person you can help without putting yourself at risk.

At the end of this step: it should be clear who you can ask for help, who has agreed, and what the backup is.

7. Practice and review

Run a short, calm practice. There is no need to simulate an extreme event.

You can check:

• how long it takes to reach the protected space and whether that fits the warning-to-shelter time you checked;
• whether the route is clear;
• whether the children know what to do;
• whether contact numbers are available;
• whether everyone knows the meeting points;
• whether supplies are in the agreed place;
• whether each person knows their role.

After the practice, write down:

• what worked;
• what was unclear;
• what is missing;
• who will fix it;
• when the plan will be checked again.

Review the plan after moving home, a change in household composition, a medical or functional change, a change of school or care setting, a change in official instructions, or at least every few months.

Main official sources

• Home Front Command — emergency preparedness information
• Home Front Command — choosing and preparing a protected space

These links point to official information. During an emergency, check whether new or area-specific instructions have been issued.