The Be Ready checklist lists first aid kit contents in unusual detail: plasters, bandages, thermometer, antiseptic, eyewash, sterile dressings, gloves, medical tape and tweezers. It also makes the point that matters more than any of them: order your repeat prescriptions at least five working days before you run out.
The first aid kit
What a good kit contains
| Item | Quantity | For |
|---|---|---|
| Assorted plasters, including waterproof | 20+ | Cuts and blisters |
| Sterile dressings, medium and large | 2 each | Bigger wounds |
| Crepe bandages | 2 | Sprains, holding dressings |
| Triangular bandage | 1 | Slings |
| Sterile eyewash pods | 4 | Grit, dust, splashes |
| Antiseptic wipes or cream | 10 wipes or a tube | Cleaning cuts |
| Disposable gloves | 4 pairs | Hygiene |
| Microporous tape | 1 roll | Securing dressings |
| Tweezers and small scissors | 1 each | Splinters, cutting tape |
| Burn gel or dressing | 2 | Kitchen and candle burns |
| Foil blanket | 1 or 2 | Shock, cold |
| Face covering or mask | 2 | Smoke, dust, illness |
Regular medication: the buffer
For many people the only real anxiety about an emergency is medication. The answer is a routine, not a stockpile.
Many GP practices will move stable, long-term medication to 56-day or longer prescriptions on request. It halves the pharmacy trips and gives you a natural buffer. The NHS App lets you order repeats in under a minute.
Medicines and equipment in a power cut
- Fridge medicines (insulin, some biologics, some eye drops): keep the fridge shut, which holds temperature for about four hours. Beyond that, an insulated bag with cool packs. Check the leaflet; most in-use insulin tolerates room temperature for up to four weeks.
- Powered equipment (oxygen concentrators, CPAP, home dialysis, feeding pumps, stairlifts, powered beds): register for the Priority Services Register with your electricity network so you are warned of planned work and prioritised in a fault. Ask your supplier about battery backup duration and an escalation plan.
- Mobility and hearing: spare hearing aid batteries in the kit, and a torch kept with the mobility aid.
- Call 999 if someone's life-sustaining equipment fails and the backup is exhausted. Do not wait for the power company.
First aid worth learning
The government guidance encourages everyone to learn basic first aid, and it is right. Free and low-cost workshops run through St John Ambulance, the British Red Cross and many employers. The handful of skills that save lives:
CPR and how to use a defibrillator
Public defibrillators are everywhere in the UK and talk you through it. Knowing where the nearest one is takes one minute on the Defib Finder website.
Choking
Back blows and abdominal thrusts, and the different technique for babies.
Severe bleeding
Firm direct pressure, elevate, keep pressing. Do not remove soaked dressings; add more.
Burns
Cool running water for 20 minutes, cover loosely with cling film, no creams or ice.
Recognising stroke and heart attack
Face, Arms, Speech, Time. Chest pain spreading to arm or jaw. Both mean 999 immediately.
Recommended first aid kits and thermometers are on the recommended kit page. None of the links on this site currently earn us a commission; if that changes we will say so. This page is general information, not medical advice; follow your clinician's instructions for your own medication.
Common questions
How do I keep a buffer of prescription medicine?
The government guidance is to request repeat prescriptions at least five working days before you run out. Do that consistently and you always carry a few days' buffer. Many GP practices will issue 56-day prescriptions if you ask, which makes a week's spare straightforward. Never stockpile beyond what is prescribed.
What about insulin and other medicines that need a fridge?
Keep the fridge door shut; it stays cold for around four hours. For longer outages, an insulated bag with a cool pack works for a day or two. Most insulin is stable at room temperature for up to 28 days once in use, but check your product's leaflet. Talk to your pharmacist now about a plan rather than during an outage.
What if I rely on powered medical equipment?
Register with your electricity network operator for the Priority Services Register now. Ask your equipment supplier about battery backup and how long it lasts. Keep a charged power bank compatible with the device if the manufacturer allows it, and know which neighbour or relative has a car you could sit in to charge.
Should I buy a pre-made kit or build my own?
A pre-made kit from a pharmacy or St John Ambulance is a good base for £10 to £25 and comes in a proper case. Then add the things they leave out: paracetamol, ibuprofen, antihistamines, a thermometer and any personal items.