Grab bag and emergency kit checklist

Build and tick off your emergency kits. Choose who is in your home and the list adapts. Your ticks are saved in this browser only, so you can come back to them, and you can print the list.

Ad: shop links marked (Ad) are affiliate links: if you buy through one we may get a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It does not change what is on the list. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Grab bagOne bag per person (or one per household) by the door, for when you are told to leave home quickly, for example because of flooding or a gas leak. If your home is on fire, get out and take nothing.Papers and money

Copies of ID, passports and driving licences, in a waterproof wallet

Insurance policy numbers and your printed household emergency plan

Cash in small notes and coins (card machines and cash points may be down)

Important phone numbers written on paper

Spare house and car keys

Health and hygiene

Prescription medicines for at least 3 days, plus a copy of the prescription

Small first aid kit

Spare glasses or contact lenses, and hearing aid batteries

Hand sanitiser, wet wipes and tissues

Toothbrush, toothpaste and period products

Light, power and news

Torch with spare batteries (safer than candles)

Charged power bank and phone cable

Small wind-up or battery radio

Whistle to attract attention

Water, food and warmth

Bottled water, about 1 to 2 litres per person for the journey

Snacks that keep: cereal bars, nuts, dried fruit

Change of clothes, warm layer, hat and gloves

Waterproof coat and sturdy shoes

Foil emergency blanket

Small multi-tool (GOV.UK: a folding pocket knife with a blade of 3 inches or less that does not lock can be carried without a good reason)

Notebook and pencil

Babies and children

Nappies, wipes and nappy bags

Ready-made formula or baby food, bottles and a spoon

A comfort toy, book or small game

A card in each child's bag with your name and mobile number

Pets

Lead, harness or a secure carrier

Pet food and water for 3 days, and a bowl

Vaccination record, microchip number and a recent photo of each pet

Poo bags or litter

Home kitSupplies to stay at home for at least 3 days without power, water or shops, for example in a long power cut or storm. Keep them together somewhere easy to find in the dark.Water and food

Drinking water: 3 litres per person per day (work out yours with the food and water calculator)

Food that needs no cooking: tins, crackers, nut butter, cereal, long-life milk

Manual tin opener

Pet food and water for at least 3 days

Baby milk, food, nappies and wipes for at least 3 days

Light, power and news

A torch for each person, or a head torch

Spare batteries in the right sizes

Wind-up or battery radio for news in a power cut

Power banks, kept charged

Backup power for any medical equipment (see the power calculator)

Health and hygiene

First aid kit with plasters, bandages, thermometer and gloves

At least a few days of regular medicines

Wet wipes, hand sanitiser, toilet roll and soap

Heavy-duty bin bags (also for an emergency toilet if water is off)

Warmth and cooking

Blankets or sleeping bags for everyone

Camping stove and gas, for use outdoors only

Matches or a lighter

Carbon monoxide alarm in rooms with a fuel-burning appliance

Smoke alarms tested this month

Know your home

Know where to turn off the water, gas and electricity (write it in your plan)

Printed household emergency plan and phone numbers on paper

Some cash at home

Winter car kitThings to keep in the boot in case you are stuck in snow or break down in the cold. Check the weather and road news before you set off.In the boot

Ice scraper and de-icer

Torch and spare batteries

Blanket, warm coat, hat, gloves and boots

High-visibility vest

In-car phone charger and cable

Folding snow shovel

Jump leads

First aid kit

Bottled water and snacks

Paper road map, in case there is no signal

Sunglasses for low winter sun

Winter screenwash

Tips for your kits

Keep the grab bag light enough to carry. A rucksack leaves your hands free.
Check your kits every 6 months, as Be Ready suggests: swap out food and water near their dates, recharge power banks and test torches. Putting it in your phone calendar helps.
If you are told to leave your home, follow the emergency services' advice. Turn off gas, electricity and water if it is safe and you are asked to.
If your home is on fire, do not stop to collect anything. Get out, stay out and call 999.
Medicines: ask your GP or pharmacist how to keep a small spare supply, and keep a list of what you take.

More detail: 72-hour kit guide, hygiene kit, prepping with pets, food and water calculator and household emergency plan.

Sources

The kit lists are our own suggestions, based on the official advice above. OrCore Prep is an independent app by OrCore Ltd. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or representing the UK government or any government body. Government advice is quoted with links to the official source.