How to Create an Automatic Emergency Message: Practical Guide 2026

An automatic emergency message is a system that sends a predefined message to your loved ones if you don't check in for a given period:

How it works
1. You create a message and choose your recipients
2. You define a "check-in" interval (e.g., 14 days)
3. Periodically, the system asks you to confirm you're okay
4. If you don't respond after multiple reminders, the message is sent

• •Use cases
• •Solo or adventure travelers
• •People living alone
• •Risky professions
• •People with health issues
• •Anyone wanting to protect their loved ones

This system fills an important gap:

The problem
In case of serious accident, hospitalization, or emergency, you can't always notify your loved ones yourself.

The solution
The automatic emergency message works without your intervention. It's precisely your lack of response that triggers the alert.

• •Benefits
• •✅ Works 24/7, even when you're sleeping
• •✅ No action needed from you in case of emergency
• •✅ Your loved ones receive clear instructions
• •✅ Much shorter alert delay than a typical disappearance
• •✅ Personalized message (not just "there's a problem")

Several criteria for choosing your automatic message service:

• •Essential criteria
• •Reliability: The message must be sent for sure
• •Security: Encryption of your data and messages
• •Simplicity: Easy setup, quick check-in
• •Reminders: Multiple alerts before sending to avoid false positives

• •Practical criteria
• •English interface
• •Responsive customer support
• •Transparent pricing
• •Convenient mobile app

• •Our recommendation: Laterly
• •✅ European service, data hosted in Europe
• •✅ End-to-end encryption
• •✅ Free plan available
• •✅ One-click check-in from email
• •✅ Multiple reminders with grace period

Your message content is crucial. Here's an effective template:

Introduction
"Hello [First name], if you receive this message, it means I haven't been able to check in for [X] days on Laterly."

Put in perspective
"This may simply mean I forgot to check in, or I'm in an area without connection. But as a precaution, here are the steps to follow."

• •Practical instructions
• •Who to call first (neighbor, close friend)
• •Useful emergency numbers
• •How to access my home if needed
• •Important contacts (doctor, employer)

• •Useful information
• •My current address
• •Itinerary if traveling
• •Important medical information

Personal conclusion
"I love you. Everything is probably fine, but I prefer you to be notified."

Carefully select who will receive your message:

• •Priority recipients
• •Spouse/partner: The person closest to you daily
• •Parent or adult child: Someone who can act quickly
• •Trusted friend: An available and responsive person

• •Avoid
• •❌ Very anxious people who might panic
• •❌ Often unreachable people
• •❌ Too many recipients (risk of confusion)

Tip: 2-3 recipients maximum. Include at least one person geographically close who can physically check if necessary.

Option: Send different messages to different people (e.g., emotional message for family, practical instructions for a friend).

The check-in period determines when your loved ones will be alerted:

Recommendations by profile

| Situation | Recommended period |
|-----------|-------------------|
| Adventure/remote trip | 5-7 days |
| Regular trip | 10-14 days |
| Daily life alone | 14-21 days |
| Daily life surrounded | 21-30 days |
| Risky profession | 3-7 days |

What happens concretely
1. At 50% of the period: First email reminder
2. At 75%: Second reminder
3. At 90%: Urgent reminder
4. 100% + grace period: Message sent

Tip: Start with a longer period and adjust based on your comfort.

Once configured, the system requires little effort:

The check-in
A simple click on the button in the reminder email. Takes 2 seconds.

Frequency
According to your configured period. For example, with 14 days: one click every 10-12 days or so.

Tip: Associate check-in with an existing habit (start of week, payday, etc.)

• •If you forget?
• •You receive multiple email reminders
• •Additional grace period before sending
• •Your loved ones can confirm everything is fine

• •Updates
• •Modify your message before each trip
• •Adjust the period based on your situation
• •Update contacts if necessary