Emergencies hit hardest those who rely on electricity for equipment, can't easily get to the shops or live alone. A little planning with them (not just for them) makes a big difference.
Join the Priority Services Register
The Priority Services Register (PSR) is free across England, Scotland and Wales and gives extra support from energy and water companies, including when supply is interrupted (thepsr.co.uk). In Northern Ireland there are separate care registers.
People who can join include anyone who:
- is of pensionable age;
- has a health condition, reduced mobility, or a mental health or cognitive condition;
- depends on electricity, gas or water for medical reasons;
- has children aged five or under at home;
- needs communication support (hearing or sight loss, or English not their first language);
- needs extra help for a while after leaving hospital or a bereavement.
You join through the local electricity network operator, and your details can be shared with the energy supplier, gas network and water company. Help a relative sign up; it takes a few minutes.
Make a simple plan together
- Who checks in? Agree who will phone or call round in a power cut, storm or heatwave, and a backup person.
- Phone numbers on paper: 105 for power cuts (powercut105.com), 0800 111 999 for gas, NHS 111, family and neighbours. Stick them by the phone.
- Medical equipment: if they rely on powered equipment, ask the supplier or care team what the backup plan is in a power cut, and keep any spare batteries charged.
- Medicines: keep a written list and request repeats in good time (medicines and prescriptions, NHS prescriptions).
- Add them to your own household emergency plan so everyone knows the arrangement.
A small kit that's easy to use
Choose things that are light and simple:
- 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)
- Lantern
Lights a room. Safer than candles; if you use candles, never leave them alone- Budget Battery LED camping lantern · Search Amazon UK (Ad)
- Moderate Rechargeable LED lantern · Search Amazon UK (Ad)
- Ultimate Solar and USB rechargeable lantern with power bank · 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)
- 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)
- A plug-in night light or torch with fresh batteries by the bed, so nobody walks around in the dark.
- Bottled water they can lift: several small bottles are easier than one big container (emergency water).
- Easy-open food: ring-pull tins, soft foods, and drinks they actually like (budget food stock).
- A first-aid kit and spare glasses or hearing-aid batteries.
Cold and heat
Older people are more at risk in very cold and very hot weather (Be Ready). Read cold weather and snow and heatwave and check on them more often during warnings.
Neighbours count too
If you know someone who lives alone, swap numbers now. In a long power cut a knock on the door and a hot drink from your camping stove (made outside) can matter more than any kit. See neighbours and community.