Be Prepared forAny Crisis

A UK 72-hour emergency kit should contain bottled water (3 litres per person per day), non-perishable food, a battery or wind-up radio, torch and spare batteries, a first aid kit, copies of important documents, cash, any essential medication, and warm clothing. The UK government's Prepare campaign recommends every household keeps supplies to cope for at least three days.

Keep torches with spare batteries in accessible places, a power bank for phones, a battery or wind-up radio for updates, and blankets for warmth. Know how to open your garage or gates manually, keep some no-cook food in the cupboard, and note the 105 freephone number for reporting power cuts in England, Scotland and Wales.

The best UK survival kit covers the priorities of shelter, water, warmth and communication: a quality water filter, fire-starting tools, an emergency shelter or bivvy, a torch, an emergency radio and a well-stocked first aid kit. Building your own kit around tested components usually beats cheap pre-made kits.

A UK bug out bag should hold water and a filter, high-energy food for 72 hours, waterproof clothing, shelter (tarp or bivvy), a first aid kit, torch, power bank, multi-tool, copies of documents and cash. Keep total weight under 15% of your body weight and store it where you can grab it fast.

Start with the basics that help in any crisis: water storage, two weeks of food, alternative heating and lighting, a household emergency plan, and offline copies of key information. Then learn your local risks, identify safe locations, and keep informed through official channels such as UK government emergency alerts.