The UK Government has launched a new emergency preparedness campaign called Be Ready, urging households to stock up on nine essential categories of items to remain prepared for potential service disruptions.
The campaign, which began last week, is the first phase of a three-year initiative designed to help households across the UK feel better equipped for incidents such as extreme weather, which can interrupt services including power, water, phones, and the internet.
Nine Essential Categories
The definitive checklist produced by the Government instructs Britons to ensure they have supplies in nine crucial areas, although the list encompasses considerably more than nine specific items.
The categories are: water, food, hygiene products, light and warmth, communication and information, money and documents, medical and health supplies, baby products, and pet products.
What to Stock
For water, the guidance recommends at least 3 litres of bottled drinking water per person per day, plus extra for cooking and washing. For food, households should have non-perishable items for three days, including tinned food, dried fruit or nuts, and food that can be eaten without cooking.
The checklist also includes hygiene items such as hand sanitiser, wet wipes, toiletries, and bathroom essentials. For light and warmth, it recommends a torch, spare batteries, blankets or sleeping bags, and warm clothing.
Communication and Medical Supplies
For communication and information, the list suggests a battery-powered or wind-up FM radio, a charged power bank, and written local radio frequencies. Money and documents should include cash in coins and notes, bank cards, copies of identification and important documents, and written emergency contacts.
Medical and health supplies include a first aid kit, essential medication, medical supplies and any necessary equipment backups, and a written list of regular medicines and doses. For babies, the list recommends baby formula (preferably ready-to-feed if needed), nappies, and baby wipes. Pet owners should stock pet food for three days and extra drinking water for pets.
Guidance for Households
The document advises: "If you have any extra items, you could consider donating these to others who might not have the means to prepare their own household. You may be able to help someone by photocopying or printing important documents for them."
It further adds: "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."
