a practical guide for when everyday life is disrupted
What to keep, how much and what to do first when the power, water or shops stop, for a day or for months.
Frightened by the news? Start here instead.
Not ready to buy anything? What you can do now, for free.
buy a ready-made kit
People in your home
- Food, water and supplies
- about £70
- Kit you buy once (torches, radio)
- about £173
if the power went off, the water stopped and the shops were shut for three days, would you be all right?
The government asks every UK household to be able to manage on its own for three days. Severe weather, a fault in the grid, a cyber attack on a water company, or disruption from a conflict abroad can all have the same effect at home.
Most of these last hours or days. A pandemic can last months. All are easier with a few things in the cupboard and a plan you made while everything worked. For the very worst cases, there is little any household can do. For everything else, start with three days of supplies and build from there.
what might stop, and for how longwater
3 litres per person per day
if nothing comes out of the taps
warmth
Blankets, warm layers, a hot-water bottle
if the heating goes off
food
3 to 7 days per person, from what you already eat
if the shops run short
cash
A couple of days' essentials, in small notes
if cards and cash machines stop
radio
One per household, wind-up or battery
if mobile networks and the internet go down
neighbours
Two or three names you can reach on foot
if buses and trains stop
medicine
A 1 to 2 week buffer of prescriptions, where your GP allows
if prescriptions are hard to get
three things, in this order
check what you already have
Most cupboards hold a few days. Tins, a torch, the medicine cabinet. Take them off your list before you buy anything.
see what to getbuy what is missing
Say who lives with you and the quantities are worked out for you. The free option comes first on every line.
build your kittalk to your neighbours
Two or three names and a way to check on each other. The better prepared you are, the more you can give to the neighbour who could not prepare.
how to start
in an emergency, go to official sources
Follow official instructions first. They know what is happening where you live. This site helps you get ready beforehand, and does not post live updates.
Emergency Alerts on your phone
A loud alert when there is danger to life nearby. Read it and do what it says.
National advice and instructions from the government.
BBC radio and TV
National news and BBC local radio carry official updates. A battery or wind-up radio works in a power cut.
Local help, rest centres, road closures and what is happening on your street.
999 and 111
999 when a life is at risk. 111 when it is urgent but not an emergency.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own official sites too: ready.scot, gov.wales and nidirect.gov.uk.
keep a copy on paper
A power cut takes the internet with it. Print the checklist and keep it with your documents, or save the offline guide to your phone. One file, no internet needed.