How to Make an Emergency Contact List
When something goes wrong, it is surprisingly easy to forget basic information. You may know exactly who you would call in an emergency, but do you have their current phone number? Does someone else know who to contact if you cannot make the call yourself?
An emergency contact list puts important information in one place, so you don't have to search through your phone, paperwork, or old messages while dealing with a stressful situation.
Decide Who Belongs on the List
Your emergency contact list should be short, simple, and to the point. Focus on the people or organizations you may actually need during an emergency.
Start with the type of emergency that matters most, such as a medical emergency. Think about who is most likely to answer, not who you hope will answer.
If your mom is reliable but never picks up her phone, she probably isn't the best choice for your emergency contact list. If your dad answers every time you call, he may be the better choice.
The same goes for distance. If your best friend lives 10 miles away, but a trusted coworker lives right down the road, your coworker may be more useful in an emergency where someone needs to get to you quickly.
When choosing your contacts, think about them in this order:
Who will answer first?
Who will answer if the first person doesn't?
Who is close enough to help in person?
Who else is nearby and trustworthy?
Who else do you trust to step in if needed?
You may also have different contacts for different situations. The person you would call during a medical emergency may not be the person you would call if your car breaks down, your home has a problem, or you need someone to check on your pets.
Keeping an emergency contact book with different numbers for different reasons.
A medical emergency might need the people listed above, but an emergency with your pet might need someone else, like the emergency vet number.
Include More Than Just Phone Numbers
A name and phone number are a good start, but additional information can make the list more useful.
For each personal contact, consider including:
Information | Example |
Name | Jordan Smith |
Relationship | Sister |
Primary phone | 555-123-4567 |
Alternate phone | 555-987-6543 |
City | Orlando, FL |
Notes | Available after 5 p.m. |
It doesn't have to be super extensive, but having info that can be used when time is of the essence is extremely helpful.
For organizations, include the name, phone number, website or other contact method, account information if appropriate, and what you would contact them about.
For example, your list might have a section for your auto insurance company and another for roadside assistance.
Include Emergency Services
Your phone can usually access emergency services by dialing 911, but it can still be useful to know other important numbers.
Depending on where you live and your circumstances, your list might include:
911 for immediate emergencies
Local police or fire department non-emergency number
Poison control
Utility emergency numbers
Your doctor's office
Pharmacy
Insurance companies
Roadside assistance
Veterinarian or emergency animal hospital
For emergency services, use the appropriate emergency or non-emergency number for the situation. Obviously don't delay calling 911 when there is an immediate threat to life or safety simply because you are trying to find another number.
Make the List Accessible
An emergency contact list is not very useful if it exists only on a password protected phone. If the emergency services need to reach someone after a car accident, your phone likely won't be much help.
Keep a copy somewhere you can easily find it. You might have:
A digital copy on your phone
A printed copy at home
A copy in your vehicle
A copy with another trusted person
If you keep a printed copy in your car, remember that a vehicle can be lost, stolen, or accessed by other people. Avoid putting anything other than a first name, last initial, and a contact number.
If your household has multiple people, make sure everyone knows where the list is stored.
You can also add important contacts to your phone. Use names that will make sense when you are in a hurry. For example, "Mom - Emergency Contact" may be easier to identify than simply having a first name in your contacts.
Also, some states offer the To Inform Families First (TIFF) Program allowing you to register an emergency contact on file with police and emergency services. If you are in Florida, it can also be done through the Florida DMV directly.
Keep It Updated
Phone numbers, addresses, jobs, doctors, insurance companies, and other information can change.
Review your list occasionally and update anything that is no longer correct.
When someone changes their phone number, update it. If you switch insurance companies, replace the old contact information. If your child changes schools or your doctor moves to another practice, make the appropriate changes.
It can also help to tell the people you list as emergency contacts that you have identified them as contacts. They should know what role you expect them to play and whether you have listed anyone else.
For example:
"I'm putting together an emergency contact list and wanted to make sure it's okay to list you as one of my contacts."
This gives them the opportunity to tell you if they would prefer not to be listed.
Consider Different Types of Emergencies
Like mentioned before, a single list can work but organizing it by situation may make it easier to use.
For example:
Situation | Contact |
Immediate danger | 911 |
Medical question | Doctor/medical office |
Poison exposure | Poison control |
Car breakdown | Roadside assistance |
Home plumbing emergency | Plumber/landlord |
Power or utility problem | Utility company |
Insurance claim | Insurance company |
Child-related emergency | Emergency contact/school |
Pet emergency | Veterinarian |
The exact contacts will depend on your household and circumstances.
If you live alone, this list becomes especially important. Someone else may need to know whom to contact if you are unable to communicate for yourself.
Final Thoughts
An emergency contact list is one of those things that is easy to put off because you do not need it every day. That is exactly why it is worth creating before you need it.
Keep the information current, make sure you can access it quickly, and let the people you have listed know that they are your emergency contacts.
Up Next: Once you know who to contact, the next step is knowing what to do when an emergency actually happens. We will start with a common household problem: losing power.
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