How to Notify Family in Case of Emergency: Simple Solutions 2026
An accident, hospitalization, emergency situation... What happens if you can no longer contact your family? This guide presents modern solutions to ensure your loved ones are automatically notified if something happens to you.
The problem: what if you can't raise the alarm?
In some situations, you're unable to notify your loved ones:
- •Serious accident: You're unconscious or unable to communicate
- •Emergency hospitalization: Your belongings (phone) aren't accessible
- •Dangerous situation: Assault, kidnapping, natural disaster
- •Sudden health problem: Stroke, heart attack, coma
- •Disappearance: You're lost, stuck, or unable to reach out
Result: Your loved ones don't know what's happening. They waste precious time before getting alarmed and taking action.
Solution 1: Preventive automatic message
The most reliable solution is to anticipate with an automated system:
How does it work?
1. You create a message in advance for your loved ones
2. You define a verification period (e.g., 14 days)
3. If you don't check in during this period, the message is sent
- •Typical message content
- •"If you receive this message, it means I haven't been able to check in for 14 days."
- •Instructions for your loved ones (who to contact, steps to follow)
- •Useful information (emergency numbers, important contacts)
Key advantage: The system works even if you're unconscious or unreachable. Your loved ones are notified automatically.
Solution 2: The trusted person
Designate someone who can act on your behalf:
- •This person's responsibilities
- •Know your schedule and habits
- •Have access to your important information
- •Know who to contact in case of problem
- •Be able to make decisions in your absence
- •Information to share with them
- •Copy of your identity documents
- •Your doctors' contacts
- •Access to certain accounts (banking, administrative)
- •Your wishes in case of serious situation
Tip: Add this person as a recipient of your automatic Laterly message. They'll be notified at the same time as your family.
Solution 3: Smartphone emergency contacts
Configure your phone's emergency features:
- •On iPhone
- •Medical ID with emergency contacts
- •SOS function (5 presses on side button)
- •Location sharing with family
- •On Android
- •Emergency information on lock screen
- •Emergency contacts in settings
- •Google Family Link for location sharing
- •Limitations
- •❌ Requires your phone to be accessible and functional
- •❌ Doesn't work if you're unconscious
- •❌ No personalized message with instructions
Solution: Combine with an automatic message system to cover all cases.
Solution 4: Medical ID bracelet or card
Carry your emergency information on you:
- •Available options
- •Medical bracelet: Engraved info + QR code
- •Card in wallet: Emergency contacts, allergies, treatments
- •NFC tag: Information accessible by scan
- •Information to include
- •Name and blood type
- •Allergies and current treatments
- •Emergency contacts with numbers
- •Important medical conditions
Benefits: First responders immediately find your information.
Limitations: Your loved ones aren't automatically notified.
The ideal system: combine solutions
For maximum protection, combine several approaches:
- •Level 1: Basic protection
- •✅ Emergency contacts in phone
- •✅ Medical ID card in wallet
- •Level 2: Active protection
- •✅ Automatic Laterly message configured
- •✅ Trusted person informed
- •Level 3: Advanced protection (travelers, risky professions)
- •✅ Connected medical bracelet
- •✅ Real-time location sharing
- •✅ Daily check-in with loved ones
Tip: Even level 2 is enough for most situations. The essential thing is to have an automatic system that works without your intervention.
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