Emergency contacts are vital during all emergencies, and having them in hard copy ensures you’re never dependent on electronic devices. You can quickly reach family, emergency services, and utility companies when needed by storing these numbers in your EMERGENCY NOTEBOOK. Additionally, this written list reduces stress and saves time during emergencies. It ensures communication with essential contacts, even during extended outages. Furthermore, keeping everything in one place will help you stay organized and ready for any unexpected situation.
We established the buddy system by preparing for disaster, focusing first on a grid power outage. Include your buddies and relevant contacts as you create your EMERGENCY CONTACT list. Moreover, add these contacts to your cell phone if texting remains possible during a power outage. Follow the LINK below to learn more about the BUDDY SYSTEM.
FIRST STEPS IN GRID OUTAGE PREPAREDNESS: CONTACT INFORMATION FOR FAMILY AND HOUSEHOLD
Start your preparedness journey by following this checklist to gather contact details.
Personal Emergency ID Cards for Your Household
Creating Personal Emergency ID Cards for each household member is crucial to emergency preparedness. These cards should include essential information such as medical conditions, allergies, emergency contacts, and identification details. This information is invaluable when communication becomes difficult or impossible. Readily available data helps first responders provide the correct care in an emergency. It also ensures your loved ones get the attention they need. Additionally, these ID cards can help reunite separated family members during a crisis. Moreover, check out this LINK on this topic.
* VETERANS CRISIS LINE: CALL 1–800-273-8255; TEXT 838255
Checklist for each person in your household:
___ Full Name
___ Date of Birth (Include a birth certificate for each person in your documents.)
___ Address
___ Allergies
___ Birthmarks, tattoos, or piercings
___ Blood Type
___ Ethnicity
___ Eye Color
___ Gender
___ Hair Color
___ Height
___ Medical Information
___ Organ Donor Status
___ Phone/Cell Number
___ Social Security Number (Include an original or a copy in the notebook.)
___ Work Phone
___ Workplace (Include name and address)
___ Furthermore, be sure to date the Last Updated
GRID OUTAGE: EMERGENCY CONTACTS FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY
Once you’ve gathered family details, it’s time to include friends and neighbors. These numbers will be your lifeline during a power grid outage, particularly in cases involving fire, medical emergencies, or security issues. First, ensure that all family members know essential contact numbers. Create a detailed list with each family member’s full name, phone number, and address. Moreover, don’t forget to add neighbors or close friends who can assist during an outage. These individuals can help with emergency tasks or check on your home if you’re unavailable.
Additionally, store this information in a hard-covered notebook and keep it in a visible, accessible location near your home phone or office.
Checklist for friends and family:
___ Family members added
___ Neighbors’ contacts entered
___ Close friends’ details added
Checklist for Documents
___ Banking information – all accounts
___ Firstly, Medical and insurance providers, etc.
___ Secondly, Medical records (including prescriptions)
___ Thirdly, Medical (include pets too)
___ Multical forms of ID
___ Financial documents
___ Passports
___ Licenses, certifications, permits
___ Power of Attorney
___ Wills
___ Schools
LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES: EMERGENCY CONTACTS
Next, gather contact information for local emergency services. These numbers will be your lifeline during a power grid outage, especially in cases involving fire, medical emergencies, or security issues. Include the 911 emergency number and direct lines for local fire, police, and utility services. These contacts are crucial for reporting outages, getting updates, and addressing emergencies that may arise.
Steps to complete:
___ Fire Department (911): For immediate response to fires or serious injuries
___ Police Department (911): For law enforcement assistance with security concerns
___ Sheriff & Public Safety: For non-emergency responses in rural areas
___ Power Company: Customer service number for outage reporting and updates
___ Water & Sewage Services: Report leaks, broken pipes, or service disruptions
___ Telephone Service Provider: Report downed phone lines or service interruptions
___ Animal Shelter: Helpful for emergencies involving lost pets or animal care
___ Medical Emergency Numbers: Include doctor’s office, hospitals, and urgent care centers
___ Additional Local Contacts: Add pharmacies, veterinarians, schools, or community centers
FINAL THOUGHTS: KEEP YOUR LIST UPDATED
Regularly updating this contact list is key to ensuring you’re prepared for any power outage. Having all these numbers in one place guarantees you can act quickly in emergencies and stay connected with critical services. Moreover, preparedness minimizes disruption and keeps your family safe during a grid outage.