The UK Government is urging households to buy hand-crank radios as part of a new three-year campaign to prepare for emergencies, including power cuts, extreme weather, and potential cyber attacks. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has warned that families should keep essential supplies at home in case vital services are disrupted, with the Government recommending an emergency kit containing bottled water, tinned food, a first aid kit, and a radio.
Government Warns of Potential Disruptions
The warning comes amid concerns that hostile state actors and terrorists could disrupt essential supply chains and everyday services, potentially leaving households without access to electricity, online banking, or supermarket payment systems. Mr Streeting said businesses and individuals needed to prepare "for the eventuality that there may be disruption to essential supply chains caused by hostile state actors or terrorists."
He added: "How would we cope if the payment systems of the supermarkets went down? Those are the sorts of everyday challenges and threats we could well face, and it is right we ask the country to be ready for those things and ask everybody to do their bit."
Where to Buy and What to Look For
Wind-up radios are available from retailers including Amazon, Argos, Currys, and specialist outdoor equipment shops. Many models can be powered by turning a hand crank, meaning they do not rely entirely on mains electricity or disposable batteries. Some also include a torch, USB charging function, or solar panel, providing additional features that could prove useful during an emergency.
When choosing a radio, shoppers should check its reception, battery life, and charging options. A model with several power sources, such as a hand crank, solar charging, and replaceable batteries, can offer greater flexibility if electricity supplies are interrupted. Prices vary depending on the features included, so shoppers could benefit from comparing models before buying. Households should also check how long the radio can operate after winding it and whether it can receive FM and, where available, DAB broadcasts.
Recommended Emergency Kit Items
The Government recommends keeping a battery-powered or wind-up radio available so people can receive updates during a power cut. A car radio may also be an option, although officials warn it may not be safe to go outside during severe weather. A radio is just one part of the recommended emergency kit, with the Government advising households to prepare supplies that could help them manage for several days if essential services are interrupted.
Items to stock up on include water (one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation), food (at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food), a battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert, a flashlight, first aid kit, extra batteries, a whistle, dust mask, plastic sheeting, scissors and duct tape, moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties, a wrench or pliers, manual can opener, local maps, and a cell phone with chargers and a backup battery.
Building Resilience Gradually
Households are encouraged to build up supplies gradually rather than buying everything at once. Keeping the items together in an accessible location can also make them easier to find if the lights go out. The campaign aims to strengthen the UK's resilience against a range of potential emergencies, including extreme weather and disruption caused by cyber attacks or hostile states.
Mr Streeting has warned that increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks could affect everyday services, while the Government has also highlighted the need to prepare for incidents such as flooding and wildfires. Former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer previously said British intelligence believed Russia could be capable of attacking a NATO country by 2030. The Government's national risk register also assesses significant risks facing the UK to help public services and other organisations prepare. Households can find the official advice and emergency preparedness checklist through the Government's Prepare campaign.
