UK households urged to prepare for three days without essential services

Households across the UK are being encouraged to keep enough basic supplies to manage for three days if power, water, communications or access to shops is temporarily disrupted.

The advice forms part of the Government’s new Be Ready campaign, which focuses on emergencies including severe weather, flooding, wildfires, power cuts and cyber incidents. Although the wider national risk picture includes threats from hostile states, the campaign is not a warning that war or a specific attack is expected. Much of the underlying household preparedness advice has been available since 2024 and is now being promoted more widely.

The Government recommends keeping three days of non-perishable food and approximately three litres of drinking water per person for each day. Suggested household supplies also include a torch and spare batteries, a charged power bank, a battery-powered or wind-up radio, blankets, basic first-aid items, hygiene products and a small amount of cash in case card payments or cash machines are unavailable.

People who depend on regular medication should leave sufficient time to request repeat prescriptions and keep an accessible written record of their medicines and doses. Households should also consider baby supplies, pet food and any medical equipment they would need during an outage. The guidance advises building supplies gradually rather than panic buying or purchasing everything at once.

Older people, disabled people, those with health conditions and households with children under five may be eligible for the Priority Services Register. This allows utility companies to identify customers who could need additional help during a loss of electricity, gas or water.

The campaign also asks people to exchange contact details with neighbours and consider who may need checking on during an emergency. Preparing for three days is intended to help households cope with short-term disruption while allowing emergency services to concentrate first on those facing the greatest risks.

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