Prepare your household
A practical place to start
If the power went off or a usual delivery didn’t arrive, what would become difficult first? Start there. You may already have useful things at home, people you can ask for help and routines that would work with a few small changes.
You don’t have to tackle everything at once or buy a cupboard full of equipment. Pick one part of everyday life that matters to you, work out what it relies on and choose a manageable step.
Check your household preparedness
The free household assessment helps you spot practical strengths and gaps, then suggests useful next steps.
Start the free household assessmentChoose where to begin
Picture an ordinary day
Think about making breakfast, taking medicine, getting to work or contacting someone. Choose one routine and ask what you would do if part of it stopped working.
Look at what you already have
You might have a torch, useful food in the cupboard or someone nearby who could help. Check that you can find and use what you’re counting on.
Choose one useful thing to do
Write down a number, check a battery or talk through how you would get home. Small tasks can make a plan clearer without taking much time or money.
Ten connected areas
These areas overlap in everyday life. A fridge needs electricity, cooking often needs water, and somewhere else to stay is only useful if you can get there. Follow the connections that matter to you; you don’t need to work through all ten in order.
Power & Energy
Think through what you would need during a power cut, from a torch and charged phone to heating, refrigeration and medical equipment.
Water & Sanitation
Think about drinking, cooking, washing and toilet use if the taps stop working, including storing water and following local water-quality advice.
Food & Cooking
Plan around familiar meals, safe food storage and cooking options when shopping, deliveries or electricity are interrupted.
Communications & Information
Keep in touch and find reliable updates when your mobile phone, home internet or usual way of getting information is unavailable.
Warmth & Shelter
Think about keeping warm, coping with hot weather and finding somewhere suitable to stay if your home becomes difficult to use.
Health & First Aid
Keep ordinary care on track by planning for medicines, equipment, first-aid learning and access to help when everyday routines change.
Safety & Security
Make everyday safety easier at home: understand alarms, keep access clear, know your building’s fire plan and find the right help.
Mobility & Evacuation
Think through getting home, leaving safely and reaching somewhere suitable to stay, including transport options and help with travel.
Documents & Finance
Keep important records and contact details within reach if a phone, account or document is lost, while protecting your private information.
Planning & Continuity
Make a simple household plan for keeping in touch, helping each other and changing arrangements when everyday routines are interrupted.
Make it work for your household
Make choices that fit your space, budget and the people you live with. If you live alone, think about who you could contact. If someone needs help with travel or care, involve them in deciding what would work. You don’t have to manage everything on your own.
When something is happening now, follow current local instructions. For preparation in your own time, the UK Government’s Prepare guidance below offers more ideas you can adapt to your circumstances.
Take the next step
Choose a guide when you want to work through a specific task. Use a paper resource when you are ready to record useful arrangements.
Explore the Knowledge CentreFind a paper resourceSources and further advice
For more detail, use the guidance below. Check which part of the UK each source covers.
- UK Government — Get prepared for emergencies
UK household preparedness. Source checked .