A check-in system is only as good as its escalation plan — what actually happens when the check-in doesn't happen.
Design the escalation in advance
- First missed check-in: your primary contact tries a call or text
- No response within an agreed window (commonly 1-2 hours): they try a second contact or a neighbor with a spare key
- Still no response: call for a wellness check via non-emergency police line, or 911 if there's specific reason for concern
Avoid the most common failure
Ambiguity about who acts first is the most common reason a missed check-in doesn't lead anywhere. Write the escalation steps down and share them with everyone involved.
Give a trusted neighbor a spare key specifically for this scenario — it's often faster than waiting for police to force entry.