Emergencies are uncommon, but storms, flooding, power cuts and interruptions to water or communications can affect households. The UK Government recommends preparing for three days of disruption, taking manageable steps over time rather than buying everything at once.
What does the UK Government recommend?
The official Be Ready guidance recommends checking what you already own, planning for your household’s needs, gradually filling gaps and reviewing your preparations around every six months. Children, older relatives, pets and anyone who relies on medication or powered medical equipment may need additional planning.
Water: plan for drinking and everyday needs
Official guidance suggests three litres of drinking water per person per day, stored for three days. This does not include extra water for cooking, washing or sanitation.
Food you can use without electricity
Keep around three days of shelf-stable food that your household normally eats. Tinned foods, crackers, nut butter, dried fruit and ready-to-eat meals are useful examples. Think about whether food requires refrigeration, heating, a tin opener or extra drinking water. Rotate supplies before their use-by dates.
Light, warmth and communication
Store torches and spare batteries, warm clothing and blankets, a charged power bank and a battery-powered or wind-up FM radio. The government advises torches rather than candles. Write down local radio frequencies and important phone numbers in case internet access is interrupted.
Medication, hygiene and essential documents
Have a first-aid kit, hand sanitiser, wet wipes, essential hygiene products and a plan for prescription medication. Keep paper copies of important contacts, insurance information and relevant medical details in a secure, accessible place. If you use medical equipment that needs electricity, speak with your provider about a safe contingency plan.
Make a household emergency plan
Agree how family members will contact each other, where to meet if separated and what to take if evacuation is necessary. Know how to isolate your household’s water, electricity and gas when advised or when it is safe and necessary. Review your smoke alarms and check whether your household qualifies for a utility Priority Services Register.
When severe weather is forecast
Check Met Office weather warnings and follow local authority or emergency-service instructions. Warning colours describe potential impacts; they are not a prediction that every household will lose power or water. If you face immediate danger, call 999.
Important contacts and official resources
Immediate danger: Call 999.
Government household advice: Be Ready for emergencies.
Weather warnings: Met Office.
Wider emergency guidance: Prepare campaign.
Where the Be Prepared Pack fits in
Official advice is freely available and should remain your primary source. Our planned Be Prepared Pack will be an optional printable organiser to help you turn that guidance into a household-specific checklist, water and food plan, emergency contacts sheet and review schedule. You do not need to buy a pack to follow government recommendations.
Source note: This is an independent summary, not an official government publication. Guidance links above lead to the original sources. Last reviewed: 11 November 2026.