The UK government's Be Ready campaign encourages households to be ready for 3 days in an emergency. In its words, "Being ready for 3 days helps you manage while support reaches those in need" (Be Ready). That is what a 72-hour kit is for: getting through a power cut, a water outage, a flood or a few days snowed in without needing help straight away.
You do not need to buy it all at once. The Be Ready checklist suggests building it up gradually during your regular shopping, and checking it every six months.
1. Water
- 3 litres per person per day for drinking, with more needed for cooking and washing (Be Ready). For 3 days that is at least 9 litres per person.
- Bottled water is the simplest. If you fill your own containers, see storing emergency water.
- Remember pets: they need water too (see prepping with pets).
2. Food
- Non-perishable food for 3 days that needs no fridge and no cooking, and that you would normally eat (Be Ready).
- A manual tin opener. Ready-to-feed baby formula if you have a baby: you may not be able to boil water.
- See the budget food stock list for cheap ideas.
3. Light, warmth and news
- Torches and spare batteries. Torches are safer than candles (Be Ready). A head torch leaves your hands free.
- Blankets, sleeping bags and warm clothes: homes get cold quickly without heating.
- A battery or wind-up FM radio, with your local station frequencies written down.
- A charged power bank for your phone.
- Torch
One per adult. Safer than candles- Budget ASDA 9 LED Aluminium Torch (3 x AAA) · Asda page
- Moderate Rechargeable LED torch (USB) · Search Amazon UK (Ad)
- Ultimate High-output rechargeable torch, waterproof · Search Amazon UK (Ad)
- Head torch
Keeps both hands free- Budget Basic LED head torch (AAA batteries) · Search Amazon UK (Ad)
- Moderate Rechargeable head torch (USB) · Search Amazon UK (Ad)
- Ultimate Premium rechargeable head torch, red light mode, waterproof · Search Amazon UK (Ad)
- Spare batteries
Match your torches and radio; check them monthly- Budget Asda Super Alkaline AAA 8 pack · Search Asda
- Moderate Branded alkaline AA and AAA multi-pack · Search Asda
- Ultimate Rechargeable AA/AAA batteries with USB charger · Search Amazon UK (Ad)
- Radio (wind-up or battery)
Note your local BBC and commercial station frequencies- Budget ASDA Tech Portable AM/FM Radio (batteries) · Asda page
- Moderate Wind-up and solar FM radio with USB charging · Search Amazon UK (Ad)
- Ultimate Wind-up, solar and battery DAB/FM radio with torch and power bank · Search Amazon UK (Ad)
- Power bank
Charge it when the clocks change- Budget Groov-e 10,000mAh Powerbank · Asda page
- Moderate 20,000mAh power bank, two USB ports · Search Amazon UK (Ad)
- Ultimate Portable power station, about 250 Wh with mains socket · Search Amazon UK (Ad)
- Manual tin opener
Ring-pull tins can fail- Budget Basic manual tin opener · Search Asda
- Moderate Sturdy manual tin opener · Search Asda
- Ultimate Heavy-duty manual tin opener · Search Amazon UK (Ad)
- Emergency blankets
One per person- Budget Foil emergency blanket · Search Amazon UK (Ad)
- Moderate Emergency bivvy bag · Search Amazon UK (Ad)
- Ultimate Reusable heavy-duty emergency blanket or bivvy · Search Amazon UK (Ad)
4. First aid, medicines and hygiene
- A first aid kit and any medicines you need. Request repeat prescriptions in good time: Be Ready suggests up to 5 working days ahead.
- Hand sanitiser, wet wipes, toilet roll and bathroom products. See the emergency hygiene kit.
- First-aid kit
Add any regular medicines separately- Budget Safe + Sound First Aid Kit · Asda page
- Moderate Family first-aid kit, 100+ pieces · Search Amazon UK (Ad)
- Ultimate Comprehensive first-aid kit with trauma dressings · Search Amazon UK (Ad)
5. Documents, cash and contacts
- Some cash in coins and notes: card machines and cash points may not work in a power cut.
- Copies of important documents (insurance, ID, prescriptions) in a waterproof bag.
- A written list of phone numbers, in case your phone is flat.
6. A grab bag
Keep a small bag by the door with the essentials in case you have to leave home quickly: water, snacks, torch, radio, power bank, medicines, documents, cash and warm layers.
Know your home
- Know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water.
- 105 is the free number for a power cut in England, Scotland and Wales (Northern Ireland: 03457 643643), as listed by Be Ready and Power Cut 105.
- If anyone in your home relies on power for medical equipment, has a long-term illness, or you have a child under 5, you may be able to join the free Priority Services Register. Be Ready notes that lots of households are eligible, including those with children under 5.
Make it your own
Every household is different: babies, older relatives, allergies and pets all change the list. OrCore Prep works out quantities for your own household and tracks expiry dates for you.