In October 2026 the Cabinet Office launched Be Ready, a three-year campaign asking every UK household to be able to cope for at least three days if a major emergency disrupts everyday life — severe weather, a long power cut, a water outage or a cyber-attack.
The short version
- Have enough water and food you normally eat for three days.
- Have light, a way to get news (a battery or wind-up radio) and a way to charge your phone.
- Keep a first aid kit, medicines, cash and copies of key documents together.
- Make a simple plan: who checks on whom, where you'd meet, and the numbers you need.
You don't need to buy a ready-made kit
Most of what you need is already in your cupboards. Start by gathering it in one place, then fill the gaps. Our 72-hour home kit lists each item with a typical price, and the printable checklist lets you tick off what you already have.
Don't panic-buy
Build your kit gradually — add a few items to each weekly shop. Panic-buying empties shelves for people who need them most.
Official sources
Always follow instructions from the emergency services and the Government during an emergency. This site is independent and not affiliated with the UK Government.