What to put in a family emergency binder

By Michele H., founder of Life on Track

A family emergency binder — sometimes called an “in case of emergency” file — gathers the information your family would need to find fast in a crisis. Here’s what to include, and a calmer, private way to keep it up to date.

What to include in your family emergency binder

Start with the information someone would look for first if you were unavailable. You don’t need all of it at once — even the basics give your family a head start.

Emergency contacts & who to call first
Medications, allergies & doctors
Where important documents are kept
Insurance policies & where to find them
Household details & utility shutoffs
Bank, debt & account contacts (not full numbers)
Pets, children, school & who steps in for the kids
A trusted person & where the backup lives

Tip: record where sensitive things are kept — “the will is in the fireproof box in the hall closet” — rather than passwords, PINs, or full account numbers. Before sharing, review the copy and include only what that person needs.

Binder, Google Doc, or app?

A paper binder or a shared document works — until it doesn’t. The hard part isn’t starting one; it’s keeping it current and making sure your family can actually find and use it.

A paper binderTangible, but easy to leave out of date, hard to hand off, and vulnerable to fire, flood, or simply being misplaced.

A Google Doc or NotesConvenient, but usually scattered, unstructured, and quietly forgotten — and it may live in an account your family can’t reach.

A calmer, private way to do it

Guided, not just a template. Private, not a subscription. Gathered, not hundreds of papers to comb through. Life on Track walks you through what to enter first, keeps everything on your own device, and helps you prepare a clear, printable handoff for the moment your family needs it.

Guided Setup — a clear first step instead of a blank page
Private by design — your household information stays on your device unless you choose
One-time purchase — no subscription
Printable sheets for emergencies — and everyday moments, like a Sitter Sheet or the School & Camp Form Helper
Linked documents — each tied to the account, policy or professional it belongs to
Twice-yearly reminder — review and update each household from Home

See pricing Explore the Interactive Sample

More guides

Digital estate planning checklistMap online accounts and devices — without writing down a single password.

Organizing information for aging parentsHow to gather what matters, one calm conversation at a time.

What happens to online accounts when someone diesThe plain answer — and the small steps that spare your family the runaround.

Start with the free 5-Minute Family Readiness Check

A simple, printable starting point for the information your family would need first — no account required.

Get the free Readiness Check