Information to Include in Your Emergency Contact List

Author:
Raylene Wall
Updated:
Jul 18, 2023 5:13 PM EDT

An emergency contact list can come in handy in a crisis.
Photo by Green Chameleon from Unsplash

Essential Emergency Contact Information

Every home should have an emergency contact information list of important names and numbers posted somewhere in plain sight. You can save a lot of time, stress, and perhaps even the lives of family members by having this list visible when an emergency strikes.

Basic Information to Include in Your Emergency Contact Information List

Your list does not necessarily need to be in this order, though this can be used as a general guideline:

Names, ages, and birth dates of each family member: Full names listed with the date of birth and current age
Home address and telephone number: include the address of where the list resides, include full street address, and your phone number with area code

Names and phone numbers for the following people/agencies:

Local contact: someone close by—neighbor, relative, landlord, etc.
Next of kin: a relative who would be necessary to contact in the event of an emergency, or could make decisions for you if necessary
Work contact: your boss or supervisor or a close co-worker
Family physician and hospital: your doctor's full name and office number with an after-hours office or pager number as well, plus a non-emergency number for your local hospital
Other emergency contacts: anybody who could be contacted in the event of an emergency when your next of kin can't be reached—friends, other relatives, pastors, neighbours, etc.
Police/ambulance: 911 in most locations, but it may be different; also include non-emergency numbers
Fire department: again, 911 in most locations, but that may be different in your area; include non-emergency numbers
Gas company: contact info for emergencies
Electric company: contact info for emergency situations
Plumber: contact info in case of a burst pipe or other plumbing emergencies
Other utility companies: emergency contact info
Poison control center: to call in case of contact with or consumption of toxic materials
List of special conditions and equipment/medication: list (for each family member) special medical conditions, including allergies, and specific medications such as insulin, inhalers, Epi-pens, etc., as well as important and necessary medical equipment such as blood pressure monitors, blood glucose testing machines, CPAP machines and such
Health care/health insurance information: contact info for your insurance company or provincial/state health coverage providers, as well as personal health numbers (PHNs), insurance policy, and group numbers for each person in the home
Emergency vet: to call in case of veterinary emergency (if you have pets)

A Basic Guideline

There are many examples available for emergency contact lists. Each example I have found includes different pieces of information. Make the list fit for your particular situation. This list given here is just a basic guideline.

Placing this list close to the phone, in a highly visible location, is often a good idea so the information is always handy and everyone in the house knows where it is. A list like this, in an easy-to-read format, makes it easier to find and share the information needed in an emergency.

Do the thinking beforehand—compile your information into a list similar to this—so you will have it all ready and in one place in the event of an emergency.

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This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.