Neighborly Prep

Family & Neighbor Communications

Staying in touch with the people closest to you.

A little planning makes it easy to check on family and neighbors, even when phone lines are busy.

Family contact card

  • Names and phone numbers
  • A local and an out-of-area contact
  • Your meeting spots

Check-in routine

  • Text first — texts often get through when calls don't
  • Agree on check-in times
  • Keep messages short

Short-range radios

  • Useful across a house, block, or campsite
  • Pick a shared channel
  • Practice so everyone feels comfortable

Neighbor contact list

  • Voluntary and short
  • Share only with people who joined
  • Note who'd like a check-in

Local updates

  • A battery or hand-crank radio for news
  • Sign up for local alerts
  • Know your community's info sources

Practice together

  • Run a quick drill once or twice a year
  • Make it fun for kids
  • Update your card afterward

Gear we may recommend

Heads up: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them, Neighborly Prep may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend things we'd suggest to a neighbor.

Product photo: the Midland WR120B weather radio in its retail box, showing the radio, telescoping antenna and AC wall adapter

Midland WR120B NOAA weather-alert radio

Good for: Families who want local weather alerts without internet

A dedicated receiver for NOAA weather alerts; check the manual for backup-power setup before relying on it.

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Product photo: an INIU portable power bank with a built-in USB-C cable and a charge-percentage display

INIU 10,000mAh portable charger

Good for: Keeping a phone charged so you can stay in touch

A compact battery pack that can recharge a phone when outlets aren't working.

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Product image pending Amazon-approved asset

Midland X-Talker T51VP3 FRS two-way radios (2-pack)

Good for: Families who want simple check-ins nearby

A pair of license-free FRS radios with 22 channels and NOAA weather scan; real range depends on terrain and buildings.

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Product image pending Amazon-approved asset

Rite in the Rain weatherproof notebook (No. 373)

Good for: Writing down contacts that hold up to damp conditions

A small spiral notebook with weatherproof paper for a paper copy of key contacts.

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