Emergency Packs and 'Be Ready' Essentials

Power cuts, burst water mains, storms and network outages can all happen without much warning. The UK Government's ‘Be Ready’ campaign, launched by the Cabinet Office on 22 October 2026, asks every household to take a few small, simple steps so they can cope for three days if an emergency disrupts power, water, phones or the internet.

Having what you need at home for those first three days means emergency services and local support can reach the people who need help most. The same three-day approach is already used in France, Ireland and the Netherlands.

Our emergency packs and ‘Be Ready’ essentials help you put that plan into practice, enabling you to build your own emergency kit over time. You can find the official advice at beready.campaign.gov.uk, with versions for Scotland (Ready Scotland), Northern Ireland (nidirect Be Ready) and a Welsh-language site.

What is the 'Be Ready' campaign?

‘Be Ready’ is a UK Government campaign run by the Cabinet Office and launched on 22 October 2026. It asks households to take small, simple steps so they can cope for three days if an emergency disrupts everyday services. It is the first stage of a three-year campaign, supported by the British Red Cross and more than 500 charities and businesses. The official advice is at beready.campaign.gov.uk.

What do I need to be ready for an emergency?

The aim is to have enough supplies to manage at home for three days. The official checklist includes:

Bottled Water (3 litres per person per day for drinking, plus extra for cooking and washing)
Non-perishable Food that doesn't need a fridge or cooking
A torch with spare batteries, plus blankets and warm clothing
A battery or wind-up FM radio and a charged power bank
A first aid kit and any essential medication
Hygiene items such as hand sanitiser and wet wipes
Cash, copies of important documents and a list of key phone numbers
Baby and pet supplies, if you need them

When should I prepare my emergency pack?

The best time is now, while things are calm. You don't need to do it all at once: the ‘Be Ready’ advice is to build your supplies gradually, adding items during your regular shopping. Once your emergency kit is together, check it every six months to replace anything used or out of date.

What type of emergency do I need to prepare for?

‘Be Ready’ focuses on emergencies that disrupt power, water, phones or the internet, such as a power cut. Rather than planning for one specific event, the idea is to cover the basics your household would need in any of these situations for three days.

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