FAMILY READY · CALM PLANS
How do we choose two family meeting places for emergencies and explain them clearly to children?
When families think ahead about where to meet during an emergency, they reduce confusion and save minutes that matter. Most emergency planners recommend two meeting places: a nearby spot you can reach on foot from home, and an out-of-neighborhood location if you cannot return home or the neighborhood is closed off. This article focuses on practical, low-cost ways to choose both meeting places and explain them to children of different ages, while encouraging families to follow local authorities and official guidance from Ready.gov, the American Red Cross, and public health agencies during a real incident.
Why two meeting places and what each is for
Two meeting places cover different scenarios. The first spot, which many families call the home rally point, should be close enough for everyone to reach on foot if it is safe. It is for short interruptions like a small fire where the neighborhood is still accessible or when family members evacuate from different parts of the same building. The second place is an out-of-neighborhood site beyond walking distance from home that is useful if the local area is closed, utilities are out, or authorities direct large-scale evacuations. It gives a predictable location where everyone can regroup or meet an agreed contact.
Choosing two spots avoids a single point of failure. If the home rally point is unusable, the out-of-neighborhood place provides an alternative. Explain to children that both places are part of a plan: one for 'close-by problems' and one for 'if we need to go farther away,' using simple language younger children can understand and more detail for older children.
Practical selection criteria
Pick places children can find and adults can reach without special equipment. For the close-by meeting place, think of a visible tree, a light pole at the corner, a mailbox cluster, or a neighbour's porch you trust. For the out-of-neighborhood place, choose a landmark such as a library entrance, community centre, or a large store parking lot that remains open in daily life but is not a private address. Avoid naming private apartments, introducing exact evacuation routes, or sharing sensitive household information.
Check visibility and accessibility: can children get to the spot in daylight and low light? Consider mobility and sensory needs—some children may need a flatter route, fewer steps, or a place with seating. Discuss public access times and whether the site could be closed after hours. If in a region with clear official evacuation centers, keep those as alternatives but emphasize families should follow local authorities during an incident.
How to explain the spots to children at different ages
For toddlers and preschoolers, use a short story and a picture: draw a simple map with big shapes, label the two meeting places with a symbol (a star for the close spot, a heart for the outside spot), and practise walking there together. Keep language concrete: 'If we have to leave the house, meet by the big tree on the corner.'
For school-age children, add steps and roles: show them the route, practise timing, and teach them how to call or text the designated out-of-area contact if they can use a phone. Role-play common interruptions like a kitchen smoke alarm and practise walking to the nearby meeting place. Reinforce that the out-of-neighborhood place is for when authorities tell people to leave the area or when the family agrees to meet farther away.
For teens, include decision-making choices and how to check official information: where to find local emergency alerts, when to stay put versus when to evacuate, and how to communicate with caregivers. Encourage older children to help younger siblings learn and to carry simple information on a card if appropriate.