Be ready for 3 days

Store enough drinking water for everyone at home for 3 days. Keep it somewhere cool and dark.

Read the guide: How much water do you need?

• Bottled water for 3 days

  Allow 3 litres per person per day just for drinking. You will need more for cooking, washing and pets.

  For 1 person: 9 litres

  • Still bottled water, multipack (opens Amazon in a new tab)Easy to stack, with a long best-before date.
  • Alternative: Collapsible water container, 20 L (opens Amazon in a new tab)Fill it from the tap if your water company warns of a supply problem.

  Read the guide Not needed
• Water storage containerRecommended

  A clean, food-grade container lets you store tap water. Label it with the date and refill it every six months.

  • Food-grade water container with tap, 20 L (opens Amazon in a new tab)The tap lets you pour without lifting the whole container.

  Read the guide Not needed
• Water purification tablets or a filterExtra

  Useful if the supply is cut or you are told to boil water and can't. Always follow the instructions on the pack.

  • Water purification tablets (opens Amazon in a new tab)Small, light and keep for years.
  • Alternative: Water filter bottle (opens Amazon in a new tab)Filters as you drink, with no waiting.

  Read the guide Not needed

Choose food your household already eats, that keeps without a fridge and needs little or no cooking.

Read the guide: Food that needs no cooking

• Tinned meat or fish

  Tuna, salmon, sardines, chicken or ham. Ring-pull lids are the easiest to open.

  • Tinned tuna, multipack (opens Amazon in a new tab)High in protein and fine to eat straight from the tin.
  • Alternative: Tinned chicken breast (opens Amazon in a new tab)A good choice if you don't eat fish.

  Read the guide Not needed
• Tinned vegetables, beans and soup

  Baked beans, chickpeas, sweetcorn and soup can all be eaten cold if you have to.

  • Baked beans, multipack (opens Amazon in a new tab)Filling, cheap and fine eaten cold.
  • Tinned soup, multipack (opens Amazon in a new tab)Warming if you can heat it, still safe cold.

  Read the guide Not needed
• Ready-to-eat meals that need no cooking

  Pouches and pots that are safe to eat without heating. Check the label says ready to eat.

  • Ready-to-eat meal pouches (opens Amazon in a new tab)No water, heat or washing up needed.
  • Alternative: Self-heating meals (opens Amazon in a new tab)A hot meal with no stove, using a built-in heater.

  Read the guide Not needed
• Dried fruit, nuts and cereal bars

  Plenty of energy in a small space. Good for children and for a grab bag.

  • Cereal bars, multipack (opens Amazon in a new tab)Individually wrapped and easy to share out.
  • Mixed nuts and dried fruit (opens Amazon in a new tab)Lots of energy in a small bag. Check for allergies.

  Read the guide Not needed
• UHT milkRecommended

  Keeps unopened for months without a fridge. Once opened, use it within a day.

  • UHT semi-skimmed milk, 1 L cartons (opens Amazon in a new tab)Handy for cereal, tea and children.
  • Alternative: Long-life oat milk (opens Amazon in a new tab)For anyone who doesn't have dairy.

  Not needed
• Manual tin opener

  Not every tin has a ring pull, and an electric opener won't work in a power cut.

  • Manual tin opener (opens Amazon in a new tab)Simple, sturdy and needs no power.

  Not needed

Only use a camping stove or barbecue outdoors or in a very well ventilated space, never indoors. They give off carbon monoxide, a gas you cannot see or smell that can kill.

Read the guide: Cooking without power

• Portable gas stove with spare gasRecommended

  For heating food and water when the power is off. Use it outdoors only, and store the gas somewhere cool and away from the house if you can.

  • Portable gas stove with carry case (opens Amazon in a new tab)Stable, with a simple push-button ignition.
  • Butane gas canisters, 4 pack (opens Amazon in a new tab)Check they fit your stove before you buy.

  Read the guide Not needed
• Matches or a lighter in a waterproof containerRecommended

  Keep them dry and out of reach of children.

  • Waterproof matches (opens Amazon in a new tab)Light even when damp.
  • Alternative: Waterproof match case (opens Amazon in a new tab)Keeps ordinary matches dry.

  Read the guide Not needed

Keeping clean helps stop illness spreading, especially when water is short.

• Hand sanitiser

  For when you can't wash your hands with soap and water. Choose one with at least 60% alcohol.

  • Hand sanitiser gel, 70% alcohol (opens Amazon in a new tab)A large bottle for home use.

  Not needed
• Wet wipes

  For washing when water is too precious to use.

  • Wet wipes, multipack (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cheap and useful for almost anything.

  Not needed
• Toilet roll and bin bags

  Strong bin bags can also line the toilet if there is no water to flush.

  • Toilet roll, bulk pack (opens Amazon in a new tab)Keeps well and takes up a cupboard shelf.
  • Heavy-duty bin bags (opens Amazon in a new tab)Strong enough for waste and to line a toilet.

  Not needed
• Toothbrush, toothpaste and period productsRecommended

  A spare set for everyone, so nobody goes without.

  • Travel toothbrush and toothpaste kit (opens Amazon in a new tab)Compact and sealed.
  • Period products, multipack (opens Amazon in a new tab)Keep a spare pack with your kit.

  Not needed

Power cuts often happen in cold, dark weather. Battery lights are much safer than candles.

Read the guide: What to do in a power cut

• Torch and spare batteries

  Ideally one torch per person. Much safer than candles, which can start fires.

  • LED torch (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bright, and batteries last far longer than with old bulbs.
  • AA batteries, bulk pack (opens Amazon in a new tab)Check which size your torch and radio take.

  Read the guide Not needed
• Head torch or battery lanternRecommended

  A head light keeps your hands free. A lantern lights a whole room.

  • LED head torch (opens Amazon in a new tab)Hands free for cooking, reading or caring for someone.
  • Alternative: Battery LED lantern (opens Amazon in a new tab)Lights up a whole room safely.

  Not needed
• Blankets or sleeping bags for everyone

  Enough to keep each person warm overnight with no heating.

  • Fleece blanket (opens Amazon in a new tab)Warm, light and quick to dry.
  • Alternative: Three-season sleeping bag (opens Amazon in a new tab)Holds heat well on cold nights.

  Read the guide Not needed
• Warm clothing and hats

  Layers trap heat better than one thick jumper. A hat makes a big difference.

  • Thermal base layers (opens Amazon in a new tab)A thin, warm layer under everyday clothes.
  • Warm hat and gloves set (opens Amazon in a new tab)Keeps heat in where you lose it fastest.

  Not needed
• Foil emergency blanketsExtra

  Cheap, light and help hold in body heat. Handy for a bag or the car.

  • Foil emergency blankets, pack of 10 (opens Amazon in a new tab)Fold down to the size of a phone.

  Not needed

If phones and the internet go down, a radio may be the best way to hear news and advice.

• Battery or wind-up FM radio

  Local and national radio will carry updates if mobile networks are down. A wind-up model needs no batteries.

  • Wind-up FM radio with torch (opens Amazon in a new tab)Works with no batteries or mains power.
  • Alternative: Battery DAB and FM radio (opens Amazon in a new tab)Clearer sound, but needs spare batteries.

  Read the guide Not needed
• Charged power bank

  Top it up every few months so it is ready to keep a phone going.

  • Power bank, 20,000 mAh (opens Amazon in a new tab)Enough for several full phone charges.
  • Alternative: Solar power bank (opens Amazon in a new tab)Slow, but can top up with no mains power.

  Not needed
• Write down the radio stations you use for news

  Note the FM frequencies of your local and national stations and keep them with your radio.

  Not needed
• Whistle to signal for helpExtra

  A whistle carries further than a voice and takes less effort.

  • Emergency safety whistle (opens Amazon in a new tab)Loud, light and needs no power.

  Not needed

Card machines and cash points may not work in a power cut, and you may need to prove who you are.

Read the guide: Make a household plan

• Keep some cash at home

  A mix of coins and small notes, kept somewhere safe.

  Not needed
• Print copies of important documents

  IDs, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies and instructions for any medical devices.

  Read the guide Not needed
• Waterproof document walletRecommended

  Keeps paper copies dry and together, ready to grab.

  • Waterproof A4 document wallet (opens Amazon in a new tab)Fits documents without folding.
  • Alternative: Fireproof document bag (opens Amazon in a new tab)Also protects against heat.

  Not needed
• Write important phone numbers on paper

  Family, doctor, school, work and insurers. Include 105 for power cuts and your water company's emergency line.

  Read the guide Not needed
• Notebook and penExtra

  For messages, notes and keeping track of what you have used.

  • Waterproof notebook (opens Amazon in a new tab)Pages survive rain and spills.
  • Pencils, multipack (opens Amazon in a new tab)Pencils still write when wet or cold.

  Not needed

Keep basic first aid supplies and enough of any medicine you rely on. For anything clinical, ask a pharmacist or doctor.

• First aid kit

  Check it has plasters, bandages, sterile dressings, antiseptic wipes, eyewash, a thermometer, gloves, tape and tweezers.

  • Household first aid kit (opens Amazon in a new tab)Covers everyday cuts, burns and sprains.
  • Digital thermometer (opens Amazon in a new tab)Often missing from cheaper kits.

  Not needed
• Keep enough of your essential medication

  Order repeat prescriptions early. You can usually request them up to 5 working days before you need them.

  Not needed
• Dust masksExtra

  Help filter dust and smoke from the air.

  • FFP2 dust masks (opens Amazon in a new tab)Fit closely to filter fine dust.

  Not needed

A few checks now make your home safer in an emergency.

• Carbon monoxide alarmRecommended

  Fit one in every room with a fuel-burning appliance, such as a boiler, fire or stove.

  • Battery carbon monoxide alarm (opens Amazon in a new tab)Keeps working in a power cut.
  • Alternative: Combined smoke and CO alarm (opens Amazon in a new tab)Two alarms in one unit.

  Read the guide Not needed
• Test your smoke alarms every monthRecommended

  Press the test button. If it stays quiet, change the battery or the alarm.

  Not needed
• Know how to turn off gas, electricity and waterRecommended

  Find your gas meter valve, fuse box and water stop tap, and show everyone at home where they are.

  Not needed
• Check if you can join the Priority Services RegisterRecommended

  It's free. Energy and water companies give extra help during a power cut or supply problem to people who need it, for example because of age, health or disability.

  Priority Services Register Not needed

Only if you have a baby or toddler at home.

Read the guide: Babies and emergencies

No baby at home? Hide this section.

• Ready-to-feed formula

  It needs no water. You may not be able to boil water to make up powdered formula safely, so ready-to-feed is the safer backup.

  • Ready-to-feed first infant milk, multipack (opens Amazon in a new tab)Use it straight from the carton or bottle.
  • Pre-sterilised disposable bottles (opens Amazon in a new tab)No need to boil water to clean bottles.

  Read the guide Not needed
• Nappies

  At least 3 days' worth, plus a few spare.

  • Nappies, bulk pack (opens Amazon in a new tab)Buy the next size up so they still fit later.
  • Nappy bags (opens Amazon in a new tab)For bagging used nappies if bin collections stop.

  Read the guide Not needed
• Baby wipes

  For changes and quick washes when water is short.

  • Fragrance-free baby wipes (opens Amazon in a new tab)Gentle on skin, and useful for adults too.

  Read the guide Not needed

Only if you have pets. They need supplies for 3 days too.

No pets? Hide this section.

• Pet food for 3 days

  Their usual food, so they don't get an upset stomach, plus any medicine they take.

  • Wet pet food pouches, multipack (opens Amazon in a new tab)Easy to store and portion out.

  Not needed
• Bottled water and a collapsible bowl

  Pets need drinking water too, so store extra for them.

  • Collapsible pet bowl (opens Amazon in a new tab)Folds flat for storage or a bag.
  • Alternative: Pet travel water bottle (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bottle and bowl in one.

  Not needed

Only if you drive. A few things to keep in the car in case you get stuck.

No car? Hide this section.

• In-car phone chargerExtra

  Keeps your phone charged if you are stuck in traffic or broken down.

  • USB car charger (opens Amazon in a new tab)Plugs into the 12V socket.

  Not needed
• High-visibility vestExtra

  Helps other drivers see you if you have to get out of the car.

  • High-visibility vest (opens Amazon in a new tab)Folds small enough for the glovebox.

  Not needed
• Jump leadsExtra

  To restart a flat battery with help from another car.

  • Jump leads (opens Amazon in a new tab)Simple and they never need charging.
  • Alternative: Portable jump starter (opens Amazon in a new tab)Starts the car with no second vehicle.

  Not needed
• Folding snow shovelExtra

  For digging the car out after heavy snow.

  • Folding snow shovel (opens Amazon in a new tab)Fits in the boot.

  Not needed
• Blanket for the carExtra

  To keep warm if you are stuck waiting for help.

  • Car travel blanket (opens Amazon in a new tab)Lives in the boot, ready when you need it.

  Not needed

If you have to leave home quickly, a packed bag means you can take the basics with you.

Not planning a grab bag? Hide this section.

• A sturdy backpack for a grab bagExtra

  Big enough for water, snacks, a torch, medicine, documents and a phone charger. Keep it somewhere easy to reach.

  • Waterproof backpack, 30 L (opens Amazon in a new tab)Room for the basics without being too heavy.

  Not needed