Start here · The 72-hour basics

Your first 72 hours

A calm, practical checklist to get your household ready for a power cut, flood, water outage or anything else that stops normal life for a few days.

Step 01

Build a grab-and-go kit

Keep it in one bag or box that everyone in the house knows about. You don’t need to buy it all at once. Start with what you already have.

  • Water. Bottled water for everyone, pets included. Plan on at least 3 litres per person per day.
  • Food. Three days of non-perishables that need little or no cooking, plus a manual tin opener.
  • Light. A torch or head torch for each person, and spare batteries. Avoid candles if you can.
  • Power. Charged power banks and the right cables for your phones.
  • Radio. A battery or wind-up radio so you can hear local updates if the internet and mobile network go down.
  • First aid and medication. A first aid kit, plus a few days’ supply of any prescriptions you rely on.
  • Hygiene. Wet wipes, hand sanitiser, bin bags and toilet roll.
  • Warmth. Blankets or sleeping bags and extra layers, especially in winter.
  • Cash and documents. Some cash in small notes, and copies of important documents in a waterproof bag.

Step 02

Know your home

Five minutes now saves a lot of panic later. Find these, and make sure everyone old enough knows where they are.

  • Water stopcock. Usually under the kitchen sink. Check it turns.
  • Fuse box. Know how to switch the power off and reset a tripped switch.
  • Gas shut-off. The lever next to your gas meter, if you have gas.
  • Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Test them, and never run a generator or barbecue indoors.

Step 03

Write down the numbers

Your phone might be flat or offline when you need them. Keep a paper copy in your kit.

  • 999. Emergencies where life or property is at risk.
  • 105. Power cuts, free from any phone in England, Scotland and Wales.
  • 0800 111 999. Gas emergencies, if you smell gas or suspect a leak.
  • 0345 988 1188. Floodline, for flood warnings in England, Scotland and Wales.
  • 111. NHS advice when it’s urgent but not an emergency.
  • Your people. Family, neighbours, your water company and your GP.

Step 04

Make a simple plan

  • Agree a meeting point in case you’re separated and phones aren’t working.
  • Check on others. Know which neighbours or relatives might need help, and who could help you.
  • Get the alerts. Keep Emergency Alerts switched on in your phone settings, and sign up for flood warnings if you live near water.
  • Review it every six months. Swap out water, food and batteries before they go out of date.

For the official version, see the UK Government’s advice at gov.uk/prepare. Always follow instructions from the emergency services and your local council.

Go deeper, step by step

Kit Check videos walk through what’s worth buying and what isn’t. Briefings tell you when something is coming.

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