Be Emergency Ready

Contents

The household guide to disruptions

The Ready for 3 Days Checklist

This is a simple household checklist for power cuts, water outages, severe weather and other disruptions.  You can also download a copy here:

Start by ticking off what you already have. Most homes have more on this list than they think. You do not need to buy everything here, and you do not need to buy it all at once. Keep everything together somewhere dry and easy to reach and check dates now and again.

Tick off what you have. Then add one thing at a time, when your budget allows. Your normal shopping always comes first. 

Water

  • Bottled water. 3 litres per person, per day. That is 9 litres each for three days: 18 litres for two people, 27 for three and 36 for four
  • Keep it in a cool, dark place and use it before the date on the bottle
  • If you cannot afford this much yet, start with what you can safely store and build up over time. Think about where you could get water during an outage and follow advice from your water company. 

Food

  • Food that keeps without a fridge, such as tins of fruit, fish or meat, cereal bars, dried fruit and nuts, biscuits
  • A tin opener that does not need power
  • Baby formula (ready-to-feed), special dietary items and pet food if you need them
  • Use fresh and fridge food first. Rotate, don't stockpile: put new items behind older ones, use what you store and replace what you use
  • If you cannot afford extra food this week, do not buy it. Your normal food comes first.

Light, heat and power

  • A torch and spare batteries, or a wind-up torch
  • A power bank for your phone
  • Blankets, sleeping bags or warm layers
  • Know where your gas and electricity shut-off points are
  • You do not need specialist equipment like a camping stove. Never use a barbecue, camping stove or other fuel-burning appliance indoors unless it is made for indoor use, and never use your cooker or oven to heat your home. This can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

Health

  • Enough of any regular medicine to last a few days, plus a copy of your prescription
  • A first aid kit
  • Glasses, hearing aid batteries and other things you rely on

Staying informed

  • A battery or wind-up radio, or know how to use your car radio
  • Important phone numbers written down, in case your phone dies:  
    • 105 - free number for any power cut
    • 111 - NHS advice line
    • Your water company
    • Your gas network
    • Family, neighbours, your GP and your insurer

Important documents

  • Copies of ID, insurance and medical details in a waterproof bag
  • Spare keys for your home and car
  • A small amount of cash

If money is tight

You should never have to choose between preparing for an emergency and feeding your family. If you need help with food, energy, water or other essentials, support is available:

Do what you can. Start with what you have, build up gradually, and never go without today's essentials to prepare for tomorrow's emergency.