Getting Ready

Check the risks where you live, then write a short household plan covering contact arrangements, staying indoors and leaving home. Keep a printed or handwritten copy where everyone can find it. Add three days of supplies, essential medicines, document copies and a list of emergency numbers. Include arrangements for children, anyone who needs extra help and pets. Getting Started guide ›

In England and Wales, Local Resilience Forums bring together emergency services, local authorities, the NHS and other organisations to assess risks and plan jointly. Scotland has three Regional Resilience Partnerships, while Northern Ireland has Emergency Preparedness Groups. Most incidents are handled locally, with central government providing leadership through the relevant government department when wider coordination is needed. UK Preparedness guide ›

Keep bottled water, food that needs no cooking or refrigeration, a tin opener, a torch and spare batteries, a battery or wind-up radio, a charged power bank, first aid supplies, essential medicines, warm clothing or blankets, hygiene items, important phone numbers, copies of documents, and some cash. Add baby supplies, pet food or medical items where your household needs them. Emergency Kit guide ›

Check whether there is a reported outage in your area and report the problem to your water company if necessary. If a pipe inside your home has burst, turn off the incoming water at the stop tap and switch off your boiler. If someone relies on a medical device that needs water, contact their care team and follow the plan you have made with them. Water guide ›

UK household preparedness guidance recommends non-perishable food for three days. Choose food that does not need refrigeration and, where possible, food that can be eaten without cooking. Include bottled water, a tin opener, ready-made baby formula if needed, pet food and suitable food for anyone on a special diet. Build around foods your household normally eats so that you can rotate them. Food guide ›

Turn off or extinguish fuel-burning appliances if it is safe, open doors and windows, then go outside and stay out. Seek medical assistance if anyone feels unwell. If occupants are at risk, call 999 and ask for an ambulance and the fire and rescue service. Keep appliances switched off until a qualified engineer has checked them. Heating and Cooking guide ›

Use torches or other battery-operated lights rather than candles wherever you can. Fire and rescue services recommend them because candles can start fires during power cuts. Keep torches where everyone can find them, with spare batteries nearby. A head torch or chargeable lamp is particularly useful when you need both hands free to care for someone. Lighting guide ›

Check whether only your home is affected and look at the trip switch near your electricity meter. If it has tripped, follow the official reset checks rather than repeatedly forcing it back on. Report a wider cut by calling 105. Switch off appliances that should not be left unattended, keep fridge and freezer doors closed, and leave one light on so you know when power returns. Backup Power guide ›