The UK Government's new Be Ready campaign has published a checklist of nine essential categories that households should stock to survive for three days if everyday services are disrupted. The campaign, rolled out last week, is designed to encourage households to take simple steps to stay prepared in case power, water, phones or the internet are temporarily knocked out.
Three-Year Campaign to Boost Resilience
The checklist represents the opening phase of a three-year campaign to help households across the UK feel better equipped for incidents such as extreme weather, which can disrupt essential services. Although the document lists nine key aspects, in reality it covers more than nine specific items.
The document advises that if people have any extra items, they could consider donating them to others who might not have the means to prepare their own household. It also suggests helping someone by photocopying or printing important documents for them.
The Nine Essential Categories
The checklist includes the following categories and recommended items:
- Water: Bottled water for 3 days, with 3 litres per person per day for drinking. More would be needed for cooking and washing.
- Food: Non-perishable food for 3 days, such as tinned meat, fish or vegetables, dried fruit and nuts. It's best to buy food you'd usually eat.
- Hygiene: Hand sanitiser, wet wipes, hygiene and bathroom products.
- Light and warmth: Torch with spare batteries, blankets, sleeping bags and warm clothing.
- Communication and information: FM radio (battery or wind-up), charged power bank, cash, copies of IDs and documents, important phone numbers and information such as regular medication and doses.
- Medical and health: First aid kit and items, essential medication and medical supplies.
- Baby products: Baby formula, with ready-made or 'ready-to-feed' formula recommended as boiling water may not be possible, plus nappies and wipes.
- Pet products: Pet food and bottled water.
Guidance on Building Readiness
The document states: "Being ready for three days helps you manage while support reaches those most in need. Doing this is easier than you might think. You could have some of the items at home already. You don’t need to do it all at once. Build up your readiness gradually over time by taking it step by step, and picking up an extra item or two when you can."
The campaign is part of efforts to ensure UK households are better prepared for potential disruptions, with the guidance encouraging gradual preparation over time.
