Everyday essentials.
A little more
peace of mind.
A practical UK household checklist and clear buying guides for power cuts and everyday disruption. Start with what you own. Add what you need.
A little planning. A more prepared home.
Three useful places to start.
If you already have something that does the job, keep it. These guides help you compare options when there is a real gap in your kit.
Wind-up & battery radios
Understand FM, DAB+ and backup power. Compare four researched radio options.
Read the radio guide →Torches & lanterns
Hands-free light or a light for the table? Match the format and batteries to your home.
Read the lighting guide →Power banks
Choose useful capacity and the right cables. Compare a compact and a larger option.
Read the power-bank guide →Your household checklist.
Tick what you have ready, then fill the gaps gradually. This is a planning aid, not a score of your household’s safety. Ticks stay in this browser when storage is available.
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How much drinking water?
18 litres
For drinking over three days, using the government’s 3 litres per person per day.
Extra water is needed for cooking and washing. Add water for pets and any individual requirements. This estimate is for household planning.Useful preparations that cost nothing
Write down important phone numbers. Agree how to check on relatives or neighbours. Test your radio and torch. Keep the items together where everyone can find them.
More official planning advice ↗Build it in three small steps.
01 / Check first
Look through the cupboards, find the torch and test your existing charger. You may already have much of what you need.
02 / Fill the gaps
Add missing basics during your usual shopping. Prioritise your household’s needs over an expensive ready-made kit.
03 / Revisit it
Review supplies every six months. Rotate food, check dates and charge equipment according to its instructions.
A sensible kit needn’t be an expensive kit.
Supermarket water and familiar long-life food are a reasonable starting point. So are blankets, everyday toiletries and a working battery radio you already own. Our buying guides focus on equipment where comparing specifications can help.