Emergency Steps – What To Do Right Now

A simple, fast-action emergency checklist for anyone in immediate danger.

Emergency Steps

1. If you need to act right now

Options if you feel at immediate risk:

• Move to a room with an exit, if you can.
• Avoid kitchens, garages, and areas with weapons.
• Keep your phone on you, if it is safe.
• Leave the location if there is a clear path out.
• Take keys, ID, bank card, and phone if you can reach them quickly.
• If there are children, decide a simple phrase that means “go to the safe place.”
• Head toward people or public spaces if you leave.
• If you can call emergency services safely, give:
  • Your name
  • Your location
  • That you are in danger
  • Any injuries or weapons, if known
• If you cannot stay on the line, say what you can, then leave the phone connected.

2. If you cannot call safely

Options if speaking is not safe:

• Use text, chat, or online forms if available in your area.
• Message a trusted person with a short, clear line such as:
  • “Please call for help to my address: [address].”
  • “Can you check on me now at: [address].”
• Delete the message if it is safe to do so.
• Use a code word you agreed on earlier with someone you trust, if you have one.
• Go where other people are:
  • Neighbor’s home
  • Open business
  • Public place
• Ask staff or a bystander to call for help for you, if possible.
• Use a work or public phone if your own phone is monitored.
• If internet is safer than phone, search for local services on a private device if you have one.

3. Fast exit checklist

Items to take if you can leave quickly and safely:

• Identification:
  • Photo ID
  • Passports
  • Birth certificates
• Key items:
  • House keys
  • Car keys
  • Work access cards
• Money and cards:
  • Cash
  • Bank cards
  • Benefit cards
• Communication:
  • Phone and charger
  • List of important numbers
• Dependents’ items:
  • Children’s ID, if any
  • Essential medications
  • Comfort item for a child, if easy to grab
• Critical documents, if easy to reach:
  • Immigration papers
  • Medical information
  • Legal papers
• If you cannot take items, focus only on getting yourself and any dependents out.

4. Quick digital clean-up

Steps if someone may check your devices:

• Close this page and the browser window.
• Clear recent tabs or browser history, if safe:
• Delete sensitive messages or call logs that could raise conflict.
• Log out of email or social media on shared devices.
• Turn off location sharing in:
  • Map apps
  • Photo apps
  • Social media “check-in” features
• Check for unknown apps that track location or messages.
• Use a different device for planning, if you think yours is monitored.
• Change passwords later from a trusted device, once you are safer.

5. After you reach safety

Steps to consider once you are in a safer place:

• Take a moment to notice:
  • Where you are
  • Who is around you
  • What you need in the next hour
• Check for urgent needs:
  • Medical care
  • Safe place to stay tonight
  • Care for children, pets, or dependents
• Write down:
  • Where you were
  • Date and time
  • What happened in simple notes, if you wish to keep a record
• Decide next short steps, such as:
  • Contacting a local advocate or support line
  • Looking up shelter or housing options
  • Planning what to say if someone contacts you
• Store any notes or plans somewhere safer, such as:
  • A trusted person
  • A work locker
  • A secure online account you control
• Review your longer-term safety plan when you are ready.

Recommended Articles

• Safety Planning Checklist
• Quick Phone and Tech Safety
• Gathering Evidence
• What to Pack if You Leave
• Staying Safe with Technology