Emergency Exit Checklist

A simple, rapid checklist for leaving quickly and safely.

Emergency Exit Checklist

1. What to Grab

These are items some people choose to keep together in a small, easy-to-carry bag, if it feels safe to do so.

• Identification documents (originals or copies)
• Keys:
  • Home keys (if safe)
  • Car keys (including spare, if you have one)
  • Work, mailbox, storage, or locker keys
• Money and payment options:
  • Cash in small bills
  • Debit and credit cards
  • Prepaid card (if you use one)
• Important documents (or photos/scans of them):
  • Driver’s license, passport, or other government ID
  • Birth certificates for you and children
  • Social Security or other national ID numbers
  • Medical insurance cards and key medical records
  • Immigration documents (visas, residency cards)
  • Any court orders or legal paperwork
  • Lease, mortgage, vehicle title, or registration
  • Recent pay stubs or benefit letters
• Health and medication:
  • Prescription medications
  • Over-the-counter medicines you use regularly
  • Assistive devices (glasses, hearing aids, mobility aids)
  • List of medications, dosages, allergies, and conditions
• Communication items:
  • Mobile phone
  • Phone charger and, if possible, portable power bank
  • List of important phone numbers written on paper
• For children or dependents:
  • Favorite comfort item (small toy, blanket)
  • School or daycare contact details
  • Any custody or guardianship documents
  • Diapers, formula, or essential care items for 24–48 hours
• Basic personal items:
  • Change of clothes and undergarments
  • Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, soap, deodorant)
  • Small notebook and pen
• Evidence you may want to keep:
  • Printed or backed-up copies of concerning messages or emails
  • Photos or notes of incidents or damaged property
  • A log of dates, times, and patterns you noticed

2. Digital Steps Before Leaving

Some people choose to prepare or adjust their digital information before or soon after leaving. Consider what feels safe and realistic for you.

• Phone and accounts:
  • Check if your phone is logged into any shared accounts
  • Turn off location sharing in:
    • Maps and navigation apps
    • Photo-sharing apps
    • Social media “check-in” or location features
  • Review what devices are logged into your main email account and remove ones you do not recognize
• Passwords and security:
  • Change passwords on:
    • Email accounts
    • Banking and financial apps
    • Social media accounts
    • Cloud storage and photo backup services
  • Use new passwords that:
    • Are not shared with anyone
    • Are not easily guessable (avoid birthdays, pet names, etc.)
  • Update security questions and recovery phone numbers/emails
• Tracking and monitoring:
  • Check your phone and car for tracking apps or devices if it feels safe
  • Review app permissions on your phone (location, microphone, camera, SMS)
  • Consider using a different device (public computer, trusted friend’s device) to access sensitive accounts
• Backups and copies:
  • Email important photos or documents to a new secure email account
  • Store scanned documents in secure cloud storage, if safe
  • Keep a paper list of key logins and account numbers in a safe place
• Communication plan:
  • Decide which contacts you will tell about your move and when
  • Ask trusted contacts not to share your location or new contact details without your clear permission
  • Review social media privacy settings and limit who can see your posts

3. Safe Exit Routes

Planning possible exit routes in advance can make leaving simpler when you choose to go.

• Inside the home:
  • Identify at least two ways to leave each main room, if possible
  • Note which doors and windows open easily
  • Keep a spare set of keys somewhere you can reach quickly
  • Keep shoes, a coat, and your bag in an easy-to-reach place, if safe
• Timing options:
  • Times when the other person is usually out of the home
  • Times when neighbors or others are likely around and visible
  • Alternative times or days if your first plan does not feel safe
• Where to go first:
  • A pre-identified safe location (friend, family, or other)
  • A public place where you can pause and think (café, library, store)
  • A workplace, school, or community location you already use, if appropriate
• Transport options:
  • Your own car, with enough fuel and a spare key if possible
  • Public transportation options and schedules
  • Taxi or ride-hailing services, and how you would pay
  • A trusted person who has agreed they could pick you up
• Children, pets, and dependents:
  • Who you plan to take with you right away
  • How you will safely get them out (stroller, car seats, carriers)
  • Essential pet items (leash, carrier, small supply of food) if safe to take
• Contingency options:
  • Alternate exit if a usual door or route is blocked
  • Code word or phrase with trusted people to signal you need help contacting services or support
  • Plan for what you might do if you need to leave unexpectedly without your packed items

4. After You Leave

After leaving, some people choose to take additional steps to increase privacy and stability. You can decide which options fit your situation.

• Immediate safety:
  • Let a trusted person know you have left, if it feels safe
  • Check doors, windows, and any new space for basic security
  • Keep your phone charged and nearby
• Contact and location privacy:
  • Consider getting a new phone number or using call-blocking features
  • Update your address with care on any accounts, only where needed
  • Ask trusted contacts not to share your new address or routine
  • Review mail options (P.O. box, alternative mailing address)
• Digital follow-up:
  • Re-check location settings and shared devices from your new location
  • Log out of accounts on old devices you no longer control
  • Review connected devices listed in your phone and email settings
• Children and routines:
  • Inform schools or childcare providers about any safety concerns, as appropriate
  • Provide updated contact information where needed
  • Plan new pick-up and drop-off routines that feel practical and safe
• Documents and records:
  • Store key documents in a secure place (lockbox, trusted person, or secure digital storage)
  • Keep a simple written record of any further concerning contacts or incidents
  • Organize receipts and records that may help with housing, benefits, or other applications
• Practical supports:
  • List out any immediate needs (housing, transport, childcare, food, documentation)
  • Contact local services or organizations that match those needs
  • Note any application deadlines or appointments in a calendar

Recommended Articles

• Safety Planning Checklist
• Packing a Go-Bag
• Gathering Evidence
• Technology Safety Basics
• Protecting Your Address and Location