Britain Urges Households to Prepare for 72-Hour Emergencies

The British government has launched a nationwide preparedness campaign encouraging households to keep enough food and drinking water for three days, along with a battery-powered or wind-up FM radio, in case severe weather or another emergency interrupts essential services.

Announced on Thursday, October 22, the three-year Be Ready campaign is designed to help residents manage the first 72 hours of a disruption to electricity, water supplies, telephone networks or internet access.

The central message is straightforward: households that can safely manage their immediate needs are better placed to cope with an emergency, allowing responders to concentrate on people requiring urgent assistance.

A preparedness campaign, not a warning of an imminent crisis

The initiative follows disruptions caused by storms during the previous winter and wildfires over the summer, according to the UK Cabinet Office announcement.

The government has not identified a specific imminent military or cyber threat as the reason for launching the campaign. Instead, the guidance focuses on resilience against a range of emergencies that could temporarily disrupt everyday services.

Britain has published household emergency advice since May 2024. The October announcement marks the launch of a broader public-awareness campaign, rather than the introduction of an entirely new emergency-preparedness requirement.

The 72-hour recommendation also brings the UK into line with approaches adopted by European countries including France, Ireland and the Netherlands.

What does the government recommend keeping at home?

The official Be Ready checklist recommends supplies that would allow a household to manage independently for up to three days.

Drinking water is a priority. The suggested amount is three litres per person per day, or nine litres over 72 hours. Additional water may be needed for cooking and washing.

Households are also advised to keep non-perishable food that does not require refrigeration or cooking, such as canned goods, nuts and dried fruit.

Other recommended items include:

• A battery-powered or hand-cranked FM radio
• A torch and spare batteries
• A charged portable power bank
• Essential prescription medicines and first-aid supplies
• Warm clothing and blankets
• Some cash in case electronic payments are disrupted
• Printed copies of important documents and emergency telephone numbers
• Baby supplies and pet food, where needed

Officials stress that people do not need to purchase everything immediately. They recommend checking existing household supplies and adding missing items gradually.

Why an FM radio still matters

An emergency can disrupt more than electricity. Mobile networks may become unavailable, internet connections can fail, and phones may eventually run out of power.

A battery-powered or wind-up FM radio offers another way to receive information while radio stations remain operational.

The government recommends writing down the frequencies of local and national stations, as well as important telephone numbers, so that residents are not entirely dependent on their smartphones.

Extra support for vulnerable households

The campaign also encourages eligible residents to join the Priority Services Register, which helps utility providers identify customers who may need additional assistance during service interruptions.

The register operates in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has equivalent arrangements known as Customer Care Registers.

Families are additionally encouraged to make emergency plans with elderly relatives, neighbours living alone and anyone who depends on medical equipment or regular medication.

The government says the campaign will expand over the coming three years, with public information distributed through community organisations, social media and radio advertising.