Write a useful household check-in message
A brief update should tell people where you are, whether you are safe and what happens next.
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Search all guidesChoose an out-of-area emergency contact
Use one trusted person to coordinate household updates when local disruption makes contact difficult.
Set useful rules for a household emergency group chat
Keep important updates visible and avoid rumours, duplicate requests and unnecessary personal information.
Check an emergency claim before sharing it
Use the original source, location and time to separate useful warnings from alarming recycled posts.
Read the time and location on a weather warning
A warning's validity period and affected area matter as much as the colour in the headline.
Check your flood warning subscriptions
Keep warning contacts current and understand what a subscription does and does not cover.
Spot storm-related phishing and fake relief messages
Verify offers of refunds, repairs or emergency support through an independently found official contact.
Keep private information out of public emergency plans
Share enough to coordinate help while protecting identity details, access codes and sensitive care information.
Prepare emergency information for a multilingual household
Agree key instructions and trusted translation support before a warning arrives.
Prepare for losing your phone during disruption
Keep essential contacts, document access and account recovery from depending on a single handset.
Store account recovery information securely
Prepare recovery routes for important accounts without placing passwords on a public emergency contact sheet.
Check that household document backups can be restored
A backup is useful when you can locate and open the right version on another device.
Prepare for emergencies without a smartphone
Use paper contacts, broadcast information and agreed support without assuming everyone needs a new device.
What to do when an emergency check-in message fails
Avoid treating a failed message as proof of danger and follow a pre-agreed contact sequence.
Use a community noticeboard during an outage
A simple, dated notice can help neighbours find verified information without exposing private details.
Set a useful routine for checking emergency news
Stay informed without letting constant scrolling obscure practical actions and rest.
Pack a commuter day bag for disruption
Choose a few everyday items that make a delayed journey easier without carrying an oversized survival kit.
Decide whether a severe-weather journey is necessary
Check the route, timing and alternatives before treating a normal appointment as an unavoidable trip.