Home Emergency Kit

The UK government advises every household to be prepared for at least 72 hours of self-sufficiency during an emergency, yet surveys consistently show that the vast majority of British homes lack even the most basic emergency supplies. Flooding has become an increasingly common threat across England and Wales, with the Environment Agency estimating that over five million properties are at risk. The winter storms of recent years — including Storm Arwen, Storm Eunice, and Storm Babet — demonstrated just how quickly normal life can be disrupted when power lines come down, roads flood, and supply chains are interrupted. A well-stocked home emergency kit ensures your family can stay safe, warm, and fed while waiting for services to be restored.

Power cuts are one of the most common household emergencies in the UK, and they can last anywhere from a few minutes to several days depending on the severity of the cause. During Storm Arwen in November 2021, nearly one million homes lost power, with some properties in County Durham and Northumberland waiting over a week for electricity to be restored. Without power, you lose heating, lighting, refrigeration, and the ability to charge phones — cutting you off from information and communication at the moment you need them most. Gas boilers with electronic ignition will not function during a power cut either, meaning even homes with gas central heating can be left without warmth.

Building a home emergency kit does not require a large budget or a dedicated storage room. Start with the essentials: bottled water (at least two litres per person per day for three days), non-perishable food that does not require cooking, a battery-powered or wind-up radio for receiving emergency broadcasts, torches with spare batteries, a first aid kit, and any prescription medications your household needs. Important documents such as insurance policies, passports, and medical records should be kept in a waterproof bag that can be grabbed quickly if evacuation becomes necessary. Review and refresh your kit every six months to replace expired items and adjust for seasonal needs.