Frequently asked questions

The UK government figure is about 3 litres per person per day for drinking, so 9 litres for three days. Add roughly 4 litres a day per person for cooking and basic hygiene if you can store it. Sealed bottled water keeps indefinitely; rotate it every six to twelve months for taste. See the water guide.

Three days of food that needs no cooking or refrigeration: tinned meat, fish, beans and vegetables, pouches of rice or lentils, dried fruit, nuts, crackers and long-life milk. Choose things you already eat and rotate them through normal cooking. Keep a manual tin opener in the kit. See the food guide.

105, free from any phone in England, Scotland and Wales. It connects you to your local network operator regardless of who you pay bills to. In Northern Ireland, NIE Networks on 03457 643 643. Check whether neighbours are also off and look at your fuse box first. See the power cut guide.

Preferably not. House fires spike during power cuts and candles are the usual cause. LED torches and lanterns are brighter, cheaper and cannot start a fire. Plug-in rechargeable night lights that come on when the power fails are the best cheap upgrade. See light and warmth.

FM transmitters have robust backup power, FM receivers use very little energy, and broadcast radio does not congest when everyone tunes in at once, unlike mobile data. During a national emergency the BBC prioritises news and safety information on radio. A wind-up model never runs flat. See radio and communication.

Enough for three days of essentials if cards and cash machines stop working. Most households settle on £50 to £100 in small notes and coins. See cash and documents.

With the doors kept shut, a fridge stays safely cold for about four hours and a full freezer for around 48 hours, 24 if half full. Eat chilled food first. Throw out anything that has been above 8°C for more than four hours.

A free scheme run by energy and water companies giving extra help in an outage to people who are over pension age, disabled, chronically ill, reliant on medical equipment, pregnant, or have children under five, among others. You get advance notice of planned cuts, priority support, and water delivered. Sign up with your energy supplier and your water company. See the register guide.

Enter your postcode at the gov.uk long-term flood risk service (England), SEPA (Scotland), Natural Resources Wales or NI Direct. Then sign up for free flood warnings by phone, text or email. See the flood guide.

No. Prepping plans for the collapse of society. The UK guidance plans for a power cut, a storm or a supply hiccup, with items you can buy in a supermarket. It is the household version of a spare tyre. See ten myths about preparedness.

Typically £40 to £80 for a family if you buy everything, and most homes already own half of it. Spread over five weekly shops it is a few pounds a week. There is a £20 version. See the kit on a budget.

One place everyone knows, reachable in the dark: a low kitchen cupboard, the hall cupboard or a lidded box under the stairs. Torch and radio at the front. Write the date you last checked it on the lid.

Every six months. Rotate water and food, recharge the power bank, test torches and radio, check medication dates and update documents. Do it when the clocks change. See the six-month kit check.

A small rucksack with documents, medication, cash, charger, a change of clothes and a few comforts, kept by the door in case you have to leave quickly for a flood, fire or evacuation. Most households should have one; it takes an hour to pack. See the grab bag guide.

It is how long most services take to restore after a major event, how long it takes emergency services to reach the people in greatest need, and an amount every household can afford and store. It is the standard across Europe and was recommended to all EU citizens in 2025. See why three days.

No. Steady On is an independent guide that explains the UK government's Be Ready guidance in plain English, with quantities, context and routines. We link to the official sources throughout and we are not affiliated with HM Government, the BBC or any emergency service. See about.