Hypothermia is not just a mountain problem. In the UK it turns up after a car breaks down on a cold night, when an older relative loses heating in a winter power cut, or when a walker gets wet and windblown on an ordinary hill. Once someone starts shivering, slurring or fumbling simple tasks, the priority is simple: stop losing heat and start putting it back. A small, pre-packed cold-exposure kit means you are not improvising with a thin blanket and hope.
This is a layered kit, not a single gadget. A reflective bivvy or foil blanket cuts the biggest heat loss and blocks wind and rain. A proper sleeping bag or wool blanket gives sustained, insulating warmth once someone is off the cold ground. Chemical hand and foot warmers restore heat to the extremities that suffer first. Pack the reflective layers small enough to live in a car or rucksack year-round, and keep the bulkier bag and blanket in the home or vehicle warm-kit.
Everything here is a real, buyable product from our UK catalogue — nothing exotic, nothing you can't get before the weekend. Pair this with the first-aid side of cold injury (rewarming safely, when to call 999) in our hypothermia and cold-injury guide.
Compact thermal blanket that reflects up to 90% of body heat. Weighs under 60g and fits in your pocket.
Thicker Mylar (12+ microns) is more durable and reflects more heat.
At least 210cm × 130cm to fully wrap an adult.
Orange or red side can double as a signal panel for rescue.
You need a small air gap between the blanket and your body for it to work.
Emergency blankets tear easily in wind. Use with a bivvy bag for proper protection.
A lightweight reflective survival bag that traps body heat to fend off hypothermia in a cold-weather emergency. Packs down small enough to live permanently in a rucksack or car.
A single branded foil survival blanket that reflects radiated body heat back to help stave off hypothermia while you wait for help. It packs down small enough to live in a coat pocket, car glovebox or first-aid kit. Best treated as one-time emergency insulation rather than reusable kit.
A well-priced synthetic sleeping bag that keeps its warmth even when damp. A sensible, affordable way to make sure everyone has a warm bag.
A large, durable lambswool blanket that insulates even when damp and resists flame — dependable, reusable warmth for cold homes, winter car kits and nights outdoors.
Air-activated single-use warmers that put out roughly 10 hours of gentle heat once you open the packet. A bulk box like this is the sort of thing you want stashed in a coat pocket, glovebox and grab bag before winter, especially if you're stuck at a cold bus stop, a match or a breakdown. They're disposable rather than reusable, so treat them as a backup rather than your only plan for staying warm.
Air-activated adhesive foot warmers that stick to the outside of your sock and give hours of gentle heat, from the same brand as the widely trusted HotHands hand warmers. Cold feet are what drive most people indoors first in a winter power cut or a long wait outdoors, so a boxed supply is cheap insurance. Single-use, but they store for years and need no charging or fuel.
The main route into storm, power cut, warmth, water and car-kit guidance.
A practical first plan for lights, phones, food, warmth and checking on people.
Buyable kit picks for the most common UK storm and outage problems.
A printable checklist for cold weather, outages, travel disruption and home prep.