When something unexpected happens, knowing who to call can be just as important as knowing what to do.
Most of us keep important phone numbers in our phones. But those contacts may be saved under first names, nicknames, or descriptions that only make sense to us. If your spouse, adult child, caregiver, babysitter, or trusted neighbor needed help, would they know who “Dr. M,” “Susan Work,” or “John House” actually is?
An emergency contact sheet gives your family a clear starting point. It brings essential phone numbers, trusted contacts, and everyday helpers together so no one has to search through your phone, email, or paperwork during a stressful moment.
Why it matters
A written emergency contact list is still important.
Phones can be lost, locked, damaged, or out of power. A person helping in your home may not have access to your contacts, and even close family members may not know which doctor, neighbor, relative, or service provider should be called first.
- Know whom to call first
- Find important phone numbers quickly
- Understand each person’s role
- Reach a backup person if the first contact is unavailable
- Access important information when your phone is unavailable
A helpful contact sheet does more than list names and phone numbers. It tells someone who each person is, when to call them, and who to try next.
Who to include
Seven groups of contacts to include in your family list
Every household is different. Begin with the people and services that would be most important if you were sick, injured, unreachable, or away from home.
Emergency services and nearby care
Start with the services someone may need during an urgent situation, and write the full name and address of the locations your family normally uses.
- 911 for an immediate life-threatening emergency
- Local police and fire department non-emergency numbers
- The closest hospital and a nearby urgent-care center
- Your local poison-control contact
- An emergency veterinarian, if you have pets
The first people to call
Create a short, clearly labeled list of the people you want contacted first and place their names in the order you would like them called.
- Spouse or partner
- Adult child, parent, or sibling
- Close friend or trusted neighbor
- Caregiver or healthcare agent
- Another person who understands your family’s situation
Family members and trusted helpers
Include people who can provide practical help, even when they are not your closest relatives.
- Someone who can pick up children or check on an aging parent
- A person who can care for pets or bring essential supplies
- Someone who can provide transportation or meet you at the hospital
- A trusted person who can enter your home
- Someone who can contact other relatives
Medical contacts
Keep this section focused on the professionals and services someone may need to reach. Store detailed medical information on a separate medical sheet.
- Primary-care doctor and important specialists
- Preferred pharmacy
- Health insurance member-services number
- Home-health agency or care coordinator
- Medical equipment or oxygen supplier, when applicable
School, work, childcare, and caregiving contacts
An emergency may require someone to notify a workplace, collect a child, cancel care, or make arrangements for an aging parent.
- School office, teacher, daycare, or childcare provider
- Employer, supervisor, or human resources department
- Family caregiver or home-care coordinator
- Adult-day program or senior living community
- People authorized to pick up a child
Home and service contacts
These contacts can be essential during a power outage, water leak, fire, evacuation, or extended hospital stay.
- Landlord, property manager, or homeowners association
- Alarm company and utility providers
- Plumber, electrician, and heating or air-conditioning company
- Insurance agent and roadside assistance
- Pet sitter or veterinarian
An out-of-area contact
Choose a trusted person outside your immediate area who can serve as a central contact if local phone lines are overloaded or family members become separated.
- Confirm that the person has agreed to serve as your contact
- Give every family member the same name and phone number
- Include the person’s email address and relationship to the family
- Keep the information in writing as well as in each person’s phone
The American Red Cross recommends choosing an out-of-area contact and making sure family members carry emergency contact information in writing as well as save it in their phones.
Add useful context
Record more than a name and phone number.
Whenever applicable, include the person’s full name, relationship or role, primary and alternate phone numbers, email address, and home or office address.
Also note:
- The best way or time to reach the person
- What the person can help with
- Whether this person should be called first
- Any important access or pickup instructions
- The date the information was last checked
Mary — 555-0123
WriteMary Johnson — Neighbor and local backup contact
Cell: 555-0123
Can help with house access, dog care, and meeting emergency responders.
Make it easy to use
Organize the list for someone who did not create it.
- 1Keep the first-call section short.
Choose three or four people rather than listing every relative.
- 2Put contacts into categories.
Separate family, medical, school, caregiving, and household contacts.
- 3Include backup contacts.
Add an alternate for childcare, pet care, transportation, and help for an aging parent.
- 4Use full names and brief instructions.
Notes such as “call first,” “has house key,” or “authorized pickup” provide important context.
Keep it findable
Store the full list securely and share shorter copies.
Keep the complete contact list somewhere secure but easy for trusted people to locate, such as a family emergency binder, home-management binder, caregiver planner, or secure shared digital folder.
A shorter version can go in wallets, children’s backpacks, a caregiver’s folder, your emergency supply kit, or each family member’s phone. Avoid displaying sensitive personal or medical information in a public area.
Review the sheet at least once a year and whenever someone moves, changes a phone number, begins receiving care, changes doctors, or is no longer available as a trusted helper. Add a “last updated” date so your family can see whether it is current.
Your next small step
Make it easier for your family to know who to call.
The StoryGuard Emergency Contact Sheet includes four fillable and printable pages for quick emergency contacts, the first people to call, family and trusted helpers, and important medical, school, work, and household contacts.
View the Emergency Contact SheetReady for a more complete system?
Bring your family’s essential information together in one organized planner.
The Peace of Mind Planner brings emergency contacts together with medical information, important documents, household details, financial information, digital access, caregiving instructions, and other information your family may need.
Explore the Peace of Mind PlannerStoryGuard note: This guide includes links to StoryGuard Digital printable products sold through Etsy. This information is for educational purposes and is not medical, legal, or emergency-response advice.