Why a paper contact sheet still helps
Most phone numbers live inside one person's phone. That works until the phone battery dies, a houseguest or sitter needs to reach someone, or a family member who is helping out does not know which plumber the household usually calls. A single printed page by the phone or on the refrigerator gives everyone the same information without opening anyone's phone.
The form on this page lets you type in names and phone numbers, then print the sheet or save it as a PDF. What you type stays in this browser on this device; it is not sent to Zeitlos.
What to include
Keep the sheet to one page. A short, readable list is more useful than a complete one that no one can scan quickly.
Household and family
- Each adult in the household, with the best number to reach them.
- One or two family members or close friends outside the home who can be called if no one in the household answers.
- For a household with children, a school or child care front-office number.
Neighbors and building
- A neighbor who has agreed to be listed, and who may hold a spare key.
- For apartments or condos, the building manager, front desk, or management company line, plus the after-hours maintenance number if there is one.
- A homeowners association contact, if relevant.
Household services
- Utility companies: electric, gas, water, and internet. Write down the customer service or outage line printed on your bill, not your account number.
- Service providers your household already uses, such as a plumber, electrician, heating and cooling company, or appliance repair service.
- Trash and recycling pickup or the local public works office.
Pharmacy and doctor's office: phone numbers only
It can be useful to list the name and phone number of the pharmacy the household uses and the main phone line of a doctor's office. Keep it to that. A contact sheet posted on a wall can be seen by anyone who visits, so do not add medications, conditions, appointment details, or insurance information.
Emergency numbers
Write 911 at the top in large print, along with the home's full street address and nearest cross street. Visitors and even household members may not remember the exact address under stress.
What not to include
A good test: if you would not be comfortable with a delivery person or a repair technician reading it while standing in your kitchen, it does not belong on the sheet.
Where to post it
- Inside a kitchen cabinet door or on the side of the refrigerator, where household members can find it but it is not facing the front door or a window.
- Near a landline, if the household has one.
- In a household reference binder, as the first page. See the guide to building a household reference binder.
- One copy for a trusted helper, such as an adult child who lives elsewhere or a regular sitter.
Print in a large, clear font with plenty of space between lines. A plastic page protector keeps the sheet clean and lets you mark changes with a dry-erase marker until you reprint.
Filling it in together
If you are making a sheet for an older relative's home, sit down and fill it in with them. They will know which neighbor they trust and which repair service they prefer, and they should decide who is listed. Ask anyone you list, such as a neighbor or friend, before adding their number.
Keeping it current
An outdated contact sheet can be worse than none, because people trust it. A few habits help:
- Write the date at the bottom each time you update it.
- Review it at a regular time of year. The seasonal household calendar includes a January reminder.
- Update it the same day someone changes a phone number, moves, or you switch service providers.
- Replace every posted and shared copy when you reprint, and shred the old ones.
To decide who in the family keeps the sheet current, the Family Responsibility Planner can help you write it down.
Common questions
What should be on a household contact sheet?
List household members, one or two outside contacts, a neighbor, the building manager if you rent, utility outage lines, the service providers you use, and the pharmacy and doctor's office phone numbers. Put 911 and the home address at the top.
What should I leave off a posted contact sheet?
Leave off Social Security numbers, account numbers, passwords, PINs, door or alarm codes, insurance ID numbers, dates of birth, and any medical details. Share that information privately when needed.
Where is the best place to post it?
Somewhere household members will look but visitors will not see from the door, such as inside a kitchen cabinet door or on the side of the refrigerator. Keep a copy in a household binder too.
Is the information I type into the form saved online?
No. It stays in the browser on the device you are using and is not sent to Zeitlos. Print or download the PDF if you want a copy elsewhere.
How often should I update it?
Update it whenever a number changes, and review the whole sheet at least once a year. Write the date on the bottom so everyone can see how current it is.
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Calendars and planners
- Large-print wall calendarsAmazon, opens Amazon.com in a new tab
A shared, readable place for appointment times and family plans.
- Dry-erase weekly boardsAmazon, opens Amazon.com in a new tab
Rewrite the week every Sunday for a household communication board.
- Binders with tab dividersAmazon, opens Amazon.com in a new tab
Hold printed checklists and a household reference binder in labeled sections.