Create a Household Emergency Plan: Template, Examples and Printable Checklist

A household emergency plan is a written summary of how your household will communicate, meet, and respond during an emergency. It records key contacts, meeting locations, evacuation routes, home safety steps, and individual responsibilities. You can create one in under an hour using the template and examples below, then print it and review it every six months.

What is a household emergency plan?

A household emergency plan, also called a family emergency plan, is a practical document that everyone in your home can follow when normal routines are disrupted. It answers basic questions before an emergency happens: who do we call, where do we meet, what do we take, and how do we stay safe. A house emergency plan covers the physical building, such as utility shutoffs and safe exits, while the household plan adds people, pets, and communication.

Why create a house emergency plan?

In a crisis, stress makes it hard to think clearly. A written plan reduces guesswork and speeds up decisions. It is especially useful for households with children, older adults, people with accessibility needs, or pets. It also helps if family members are apart when an emergency occurs. Many local authorities, including UK government guidance and New Zealand emergency preparedness advice, recommend having a household plan ready.

What to include in a household emergency plan: key sections

A complete plan covers:

• Household details and emergency contacts
• Communication plan
• Meeting points and evacuation routes
• Sheltering at home checklist
• Household responsibilities and special needs
• Pet emergency kit
• Important documents and insurance

1. Household details and emergency contacts

List every person in the household, their full name, date of birth, medical conditions, and any medication. Add out-of-area emergency contacts who can relay messages if local phone lines are busy. Include the local police, fire, ambulance, doctor, vet, and utility companies. Keep a printed copy in your emergency kit and save contacts in all phones.

2. Household communication plan

Decide how you will contact each other if separated. Text messages often work when calls do not. Choose one out-of-area relative or friend as a central contact. Teach children how to call emergency numbers and what to say. Keep a list of important numbers with your plan.

3. Meeting points and evacuation routes

Pick two meeting places: one directly outside your home for sudden emergencies like a fire, and one outside your neighbourhood in case you cannot return. Draw a simple floor plan showing two ways out of every room. Note the locations of fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and utility shutoffs.

4. Sheltering at home checklist

If you must stay indoors, you may need supplies for at least three days. Checklist items include water (2-3 litres per person per day), non-perishable food, torch, batteries, radio, first aid kit, medications, cash, and hygiene items. Store these in an easy-to-carry bag or bin.

5. Household responsibilities and special needs

Assign tasks based on ability. For example, one adult turns off gas, another grabs the emergency kit, a responsible child takes the pet carrier. Account for accessibility needs such as mobility aids, hearing aids, or extra medical supplies. Write down who helps whom and the backup person.

6. Pet emergency plan

Include pets in your plan. List their names, species, microchip numbers, and vet contact. Prepare a pet go-bag with food, water, leash, carrier, medications, and vaccination records. Identify pet-friendly shelters or hotels in advance, as not all emergency shelters accept animals.

7. Important documents and insurance

Store copies of passports, birth certificates, insurance policies, medical records, and property deeds in a waterproof container. Take photos or scans and keep digital copies in cloud storage. Know your insurance emergency contact number.

Household emergency plan template examples

Below is a basic template you can copy into a document or write by hand. Adapt it to your home and local guidance, whether you follow household emergency plan UK advice or New Zealand household emergency plan nz recommendations.

Basic household emergency plan template

Example household emergency plan for a family with young children

Household: Two adults, two children (ages 4 and 7), one dog.
Out-of-area contact: Aunt Sarah, phone 07xxx xxxxxx.
Meeting place 1: Front garden by the big oak tree.
Meeting place 2: Primary school car park, 500 m away.
Roles: Mum grabs emergency bag and dog lead. Dad helps children put on shoes and coats. Kids hold hands and follow Dad to meeting place. Mum turns off gas if safe, then joins.
Child-specific: Write emergency numbers on a card inside each child’s backpack. Practice dialling 999 (UK) or 111 (NZ) with a toy phone.

Example household emergency plan for an older adult living alone

Household: One adult, uses a walking frame.
Out-of-area contact: Daughter, phone 07xxx xxxxxx.
Meeting place: Neighbour’s house across the street.
Shelter at home: Keep a 7-day supply of medications, extra walking frame tips, and a torch by the bed.
Daily check-in: Daughter calls every evening at 8 pm. If no answer, neighbour has a spare key.

Printable household emergency plan checklist

Use this checklist to make sure your plan is complete. Print it and tick items as you finish them.

Adapting your household emergency plan for different needs

Your plan should fit your budget, schedule, and household composition. Here are trade-offs and practical tips:

• Minimal budget: Use a free printable household emergency plan pdf from your local council or government website. Store water in cleaned soft drink bottles instead of buying new containers. Focus on the most likely risks in your area.
• Busy schedule: Set a calendar reminder for a 15-minute planning session once a week. Break the checklist into small tasks. Involve children in drawing the floor plan as an activity.
• Different weather: For cold climates, add blankets, hand warmers, and waterproof matches. For hot climates, add extra water, sun hats, and battery-powered fans. Update the emergency kit seasonally.
• Group needs: If you care for someone with limited mobility, plan assistance for stairs or heavy doors. Keep a list of medications and equipment serial numbers. If you have pets, practice putting them in carriers quickly.
• Renters: Ask your landlord for utility shutoff locations and emergency contact numbers. You may not be able to install permanent changes, so focus on communication and a portable kit.

UK government guidance and New Zealand emergency preparedness

Different countries have specific advice:

• Household emergency plan UK: The UK government recommends preparing for risks like flooding and power cuts. Check the GOV.UK website for local flood warnings and sign up for alerts. The London Fire Brigade offers free home fire safety visits.
• Household emergency plan NZ: New Zealand’s Civil Defence encourages households to have a plan for earthquakes and tsunamis. The “Get Ready” website has templates and hazard maps. Practice Drop, Cover, Hold with your family.

Use local guidance to tailor your plan’s hazard-specific details, but the core sections remain the same.

How to use your household emergency plan without stress

An emergency plan is meant to reduce effort, not add chores. Keep it simple:

1. Start with one page. You do not need a binder. A single sheet with key contacts, meeting points, and utility shutoffs is enough to begin.
2. Practice informally. Next time you go for a walk, point out the meeting place. When you test smoke alarms, talk through the escape route. Small mentions keep the plan fresh.
3. Update when life changes. New address, new pet, new medication—make a note on the plan. Review twice a year, perhaps when clocks change.
4. Store copies in useful spots. Put one on the fridge, one in the emergency kit, and a photo on your phone. Share a copy with the out-of-area contact.