Governments and aid organisations in several countries advise households to be able to cope on their own for roughly three days if floods, storms, power cuts or other disruptions interrupt normal services. The UK's Cabinet Office set out this three-day standard on 22 October 2026 when it launched "Be Ready", a three-year public information campaign that replaced the earlier "Prepare" website, according to the official GOV.UK announcement.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis said the goal is for people to take "simple steps to be ready for everyday emergencies like severe storms" so that pressure on emergency services is reduced, the GOV.UK statement said.
What to put in the kit
The core of any kit is water and food that need no power or cooking. The Be Ready checklist, published on the campaign's official site beready.campaign.gov.uk, specifies 3 litres of drinking water per person per day, plus extra for cooking and washing, and non-perishable food with a long shelf life.
The same checklist lists a battery or wind-up torch, spare batteries, a battery or wind-up FM radio, a charged power bank, blankets and warm clothing, a mix of cash and cards, and a basic first aid kit containing plasters, bandages, a thermometer, antiseptic and sterile dressings. It also tells people to keep printed copies of passports, birth certificates, insurance details and medical-equipment instructions, plus a written list of emergency contacts and medications in case phones lose power.
For households with babies or pets, the checklist adds ready-made formula where possible, nappies, and pet food and water. People who take regular prescriptions are told to request repeat medicines up to five working days before they run out.
Core items on the UK's official Be Ready checklist (per household)| Category | Item | Notes |
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| Water | 3 litres per person, per day, for 3 days | Plus extra for cooking and washing |
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| Food | 3 days of non-perishable food | No fridge or cooking required |
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| Light | Torch (battery or wind-up) + spare batteries | Safer than candles, campaign says |
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| Information | Battery or wind-up FM radio | For news during power cuts |
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| Power | Charged power bank | For phones and devices |
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| Warmth | Blankets, sleeping bags, warm clothing | |
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| Money | Cash (coins and notes) and cards | For when card/online payments fail |
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| Documents | Printed passports, birth certificates, insurance papers | |
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| Health | First aid kit and essential medication | Request repeat prescriptions in advance |
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| Dependants | Baby formula/nappies, pet food and water | Where applicable |
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Writing the household plan
The Be Ready guidance also sets out a written household emergency plan, kept with other important papers. It recommends identifying escape routes for fire or flooding, agreeing a public meeting point if family members are separated, and writing phone numbers on paper in case a power cut disables mobile devices, according to the campaign site.
The plan should name backup support for household members who live alone or need extra help, and arrange check-ins with neighbours for anyone needing assistance. The guidance also suggests saving emergency contacts in phones under "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) or a medical ID function, and confirming schools hold up-to-date contact details.
The British Red Cross frames the same exercise as a household "preparedness audit" covering emergency contacts, household plans, essential supplies, medical needs, and insurance or other important documents, according to its emergency-preparedness page. The charity tells households to plan for the possibility that power, water, food, transport or communications could be disrupted for 72 hours.
Laura Scott, the British Red Cross's Director for UK Resilience, said in the GOV.UK announcement that clear, trusted advice aimed at people who may be more at risk could help reduce the impact of crises and potentially save lives.
Staying informed and reducing risk
Officials also recommend signing up for local alert and warning systems, checking flood-risk information for your area, and learning basic first aid, according to the Be Ready campaign site. People who may need extra support from utility companies during an outage — for example because of a disability or medical equipment that needs power — are told they can register free with the Priority Services Register.
The campaign, which launched alongside warnings from ministers about risks ranging from severe weather to cyber attacks, is aimed particularly at families with young children and older people and is being promoted with the support of more than 500 partner organisations, the GOV.UK announcement said.
Keeping the kit ready
- Store water and non-perishable food with long shelf lives and check expiry dates periodically.
- Keep the torch, radio and power bank charged or stocked with spare batteries.
- Review and refresh printed documents and the written contact list if details change.
- Confirm repeat prescriptions are requested ahead of time so medication does not run out.
- Walk through the household plan with everyone at home, including escape routes and the agreed meeting point.
- Check in on neighbours or relatives who may need extra support during a power cut or severe weather event.
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