Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan how you will contact one another before an emergency happens. ​

• Limit non-emergency phone calls. This will minimize network congestion, free up “space” for emergency communications, and conserve battery power if you are using a wireless phone. 
• Keep all phone calls brief. If you need to use a phone, try to use it only to convey vital information to emergency personnel and/or family. 
• For non-emergency calls, try text messaging when using your wireless phone. In many cases text messages will go through when your call may not. Consider creating an “In Case of Emergency” contact group message so that you can simultaneously inform all important contacts that you are safe. 
• Post on social media to inform family/friends that you are safe. 
• If in your vehicle, try to place calls while your vehicle is stationary. 
• If you have Call Forwarding on your home number, forward your home number to your wireless number, particularly in the event of an evacuation. 
• If you do not have electric power in your home, consider using your car to charge cell phones or listen to news alerts on the car radio. But use caution – do not try to reach your car if it is not safe to do so, and be aware of carbon monoxide emissions from your car if it is a closed space, such as a garage. 
• Tune-in to broadcast and radio news for important news alerts. ​

Download & Print this FREE Communications Plan 

For more information about communicating before, during & after a disaster visit: https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2021-04/family-emergency-communication-plan.pdf