--- title: Tips to Prepare a Family Emergency Plan in Your Homeowners Association description: Discover tips to help you work with your family, friends, and homeowners association neighbors to be prepared in an emergency situation. image: https://blog.hignellhoa.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/close_up_of_family_emergency_plan-ThinkstockPhotos-122188812.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://blog.hignellhoa.com/tips-to-prepare-a-family-emergency-plan-in-your-homeowners-association#main-content) [OWNER PORTAL](https://www.hignellhoa.com/owner-portal)|[CALL (530) 419‑6032](tel:5304196032)[![GET A FREE HOA ANALYSIS](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/47820439/5c25c044-6299-494a-9ee9-03dd5dfc13a5.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/47820439/5c25c044-6299-494a-9ee9-03dd5dfc13a5)[![PURCHASE CONSULTING HOURS](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/47820439/3958a588-baae-4ff9-bd9d-021be597a7be.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/47820439/3958a588-baae-4ff9-bd9d-021be597a7be) Close ** Click to close ![Tips to Prepare a Family Emergency Plan in Your Homeowners Association](https://blog.hignellhoa.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/close_up_of_family_emergency_plan-ThinkstockPhotos-122188812.jpg) [SafetySafety](https://blog.hignellhoa.com/tag/safety), [Living in an HOALiving in an HOA](https://blog.hignellhoa.com/tag/living-in-an-hoa) --- # Tips to Prepare a Family Emergency Plan in Your Homeowners Association By  [ HOA Manager Written by HOA Manager ](https://blog.hignellhoa.com/author/hoa-manager)    |    Jan 22, 2021 12:00:00 AM Share this Blog [![Share on facebook](https://fs.hubspotusercontent00.net/hubfs/4172253/OneTheme/social-icons/facebook-icon.svg) ](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.hignellhoa.com/tips-to-prepare-a-family-emergency-plan-in-your-homeowners-association&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook) [![Share on twitter](https://fs.hubspotusercontent00.net/hubfs/4172253/OneTheme/social-icons/twitter-icon.svg) ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://blog.hignellhoa.com/tips-to-prepare-a-family-emergency-plan-in-your-homeowners-association&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&url=https://blog.hignellhoa.com/tips-to-prepare-a-family-emergency-plan-in-your-homeowners-association&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on instagram](https://fs.hubspotusercontent00.net/hubfs/4172253/OneTheme/social-icons/instagram-icon.svg) ](http://www.instagram.com/share.php?u=https://blog.hignellhoa.com/tips-to-prepare-a-family-emergency-plan-in-your-homeowners-association&utm_medium=social&utm_source=instagram) [![Share on linkedin](https://fs.hubspotusercontent00.net/hubfs/4172253/OneTheme/social-icons/linkedin-icon.svg) ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.hignellhoa.com/tips-to-prepare-a-family-emergency-plan-in-your-homeowners-association&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin) [![Share on whatsapp](https://fs.hubspotusercontent00.net/hubfs/4172253/OneTheme/social-icons/whatsapp-icon.svg) ](https://web.whatsapp.com) ![close_up_of_family_emergency_plan](https://blog.hignellhoa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/close_up_of_family_emergency_plan-ThinkstockPhotos-122188812.jpg?width=426&name=close_up_of_family_emergency_plan-ThinkstockPhotos-122188812.jpg "close_up_of_family_emergency_plan")Natural disasters affect thousands of people every year, and with the increased risk of severe thunderstorms, [flash flooding](https://blog.hignellhoa.com/how-an-hoa-board-can-prepare-the-association-for-a-flooding-disaster) and tornadoes these days, it’s a good idea to think about having an emergency plan in place. Consider preparing an emergency plan now before it’s needed. Here are a few tips to help you work with your family, friends and homeowners association neighbors for the [best options](http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/home-family/preparedness) possible: ## **Have an open discussion with your family about the types of emergencies that could happen.** These include severe weather like tornadoes, natural disasters like earthquakes and fires and even civil unrest like rioting or acts of terrorism. ## **Designate a meeting place in the event you cannot return home.** It’s a good idea to choose both a neighborhood meeting place and a place to meet outside of your homeowners association neighborhood in case you can’t access the area surrounding your home. If you have pets, ensure the meeting places you choose will accept them if you have to evacuate your home for any length of time. ## **Pick an out-of-town friend or relative as an emergency contact.** When disaster strikes, it could be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town. Your out-of-town contact could help communicate and reunite separated family members or assist with an evacuation. Make sure every member of your family has the phone number for your out-of-town emergency contact person. ## **If you have children, communicate with their schools and daycare providers.** Make sure you know the emergency plan at your child’s school or daycare provider. Find out how they plan to communicate with families during a crisis, whether they’re prepared to “shelter in place” and where they plan to go if they must leave. ## **If you have teenagers that come home from school on their own** Be sure to communication with your homeowners association neighbors that you trust and that might be home when you are at work. Make sure that they can connect with your teenagers until you are home and consider exchanging phone numbers as well. You never know when disaster may strike. Having a plan in place will give you peace of mind. Encourage your neighbors to do the same and help to [promote safety](https://blog.hignellhoa.com/what-does-safety-in-a-homeowners-association-look-like) in your homeowners association. If your HOA board is looking for assistance in preparing an emergency plan for the Association as a whole, consider getting a Free HOA Analysis! Share this Blog [![Share on facebook](https://fs.hubspotusercontent00.net/hubfs/4172253/OneTheme/social-icons/facebook-icon.svg) ](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.hignellhoa.com/tips-to-prepare-a-family-emergency-plan-in-your-homeowners-association&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook) [![Share on twitter](https://fs.hubspotusercontent00.net/hubfs/4172253/OneTheme/social-icons/twitter-icon.svg) ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://blog.hignellhoa.com/tips-to-prepare-a-family-emergency-plan-in-your-homeowners-association&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&url=https://blog.hignellhoa.com/tips-to-prepare-a-family-emergency-plan-in-your-homeowners-association&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on instagram](https://fs.hubspotusercontent00.net/hubfs/4172253/OneTheme/social-icons/instagram-icon.svg) ](http://www.instagram.com/share.php?u=https://blog.hignellhoa.com/tips-to-prepare-a-family-emergency-plan-in-your-homeowners-association&utm_medium=social&utm_source=instagram) [![Share on linkedin](https://fs.hubspotusercontent00.net/hubfs/4172253/OneTheme/social-icons/linkedin-icon.svg) ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.hignellhoa.com/tips-to-prepare-a-family-emergency-plan-in-your-homeowners-association&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin) [![Share on whatsapp](https://fs.hubspotusercontent00.net/hubfs/4172253/OneTheme/social-icons/whatsapp-icon.svg) ](https://web.whatsapp.com) [** Previous Post Previous Post ](https://blog.hignellhoa.com/steps-to-take-when-hoa-board-members-cant-make-decisions) [** View all posts ](https://blog.hignellhoa.com/) [Next Post ** Next Post ](https://blog.hignellhoa.com/how-hiring-an-hoa-management-company-can-work-for-almost-any-budget) ## Recent Posts [![Can an HOA Board Make Important Decisions without Homeowners?-featured-image](https://blog.hignellhoa.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/HOA%20Board%20Meeting%20-640178088-1.jpg) ](https://blog.hignellhoa.com/can-an-hoa-board-make-important-decisions-without-homeowners) ### [Can an HOA Board Make Important Decisions without Homeowners? 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