- Identify an out-of-town contact. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separate family members.
- Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has a cell phone, coins or pre-paid phone card to call the emergency contact. If you have a cell phone, program that person(s) as ‘ICE’ (In Case Of Emergency) in your phone.
- Teach family members how to use text messaging.
- Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as making an emergency supply kit and developing a family communication plan are the same for both a natural or man-made emergency.