Household planning guide
A little more prepared.
A little less to worry about.
If the power went out this evening, would you know where the torch was? Household emergency preparedness starts with everyday questions like that. Here’s the UK guidance, and a practical way to work out what it means for your home.
Guidance checked on
The official starting point
What does the government recommend?
The UK government’s Be Ready campaign, updated on 22 October 2026, encourages households to prepare for three days of disruption to services such as power, water and phones. Read the campaign announcement.
Water & food
Plan for three days. Allow 3 litres of drinking water per person daily, plus extra for cooking, washing and pets. Choose familiar, shelf-stable food that needs no cooking.
Light & warmth
Keep a torch, spare batteries, blankets and warm clothes accessible. A torch is safer than candles.
Staying connected
Have a charged power bank and battery or wind-up FM radio. Write important numbers on paper.
Everyday essentials
Include first aid, essential medicines, hygiene items, documents and some cash. Remember baby and pet supplies where needed.
Agree a meeting place and who will check on anyone needing support. Check eligibility for utility support registers. Start with existing supplies, add gradually and review every six months.
Read the full government checklist and household planning adviceStart with a cupboard check
Before making a shopping list, try a quick walk around your home. Can you find a working torch? Is the power bank charged? Could you put together a meal without the hob, kettle or fridge? Does everyone know where the useful things live?
Those answers give you a starting point. An item you already own but cannot find might need a better home rather than a replacement. Pick one useful job you can do today, then decide what comes next.
Put it into practice · Mostly Prepared
You’ve read the advice. How does your home stack up?
Mostly Prepared is our separate household preparedness project. Its free Blackout Check turns a few questions about your home into a practical plan, using the government checklist as its starting point.
- 01
Check what you have
Work through lights, staying connected, food and water, home comforts and the people you look after.
- 02
Find your next steps
Get a household checklist and a shortlist of priorities. Unsure what you own? The plan asks you to check first.
- 03
Keep a copy
Mark items as sorted or for later, then download a PDF or open your plan for printing.
No account needed. Answers stay in the current page’s memory; save your plan before leaving or refreshing. Mostly Prepared is independent and is not government endorsed.
Sources & scope
This is a starting guide for planning ahead. The Blackout Check is a planning tool, not a safety assessment. During an incident, follow current instructions from your local authority and emergency services. For essential medical equipment or care, agree a backup plan with your care team or equipment provider.