Emergency Reference Card
When a disaster hits, phones can lose signal, apps can fail, and memory can fail even faster under stress. A simple wallet-sized emergency reference card — carried by every family member — ensures critical contact information is available even if devices aren't.
What to Include
- An out-of-area contact who can relay messages if local phone lines are down
- Each family member's cell number
- Your family meeting spot(s) — one near home, one outside the neighborhood
- Key medical information: allergies, medications, and conditions
- Your insurance provider and policy number
- Your out-of-town contact's name and number, since local calls may not go through even when long-distance ones do
Tips for Designating Contacts
- Make sure every family member, including children, knows the address and phone number of your designated meeting spot.
- Choose an out-of-area contact who is unlikely to be affected by the same disaster.
- Keep a copy of the card in every wallet, backpack, and vehicle glovebox.
- Update it whenever contact information changes.
See Ready.gov for additional guidance on building a full family emergency communication plan.
Pair It With a Kit
An emergency reference card belongs in your emergency kit, not just your wallet.
