A three-day emergency kit, without the drama
In October 2026 the UK Government launched Be Ready, a campaign asking every household to be able to manage for three days if the power, the water, the phones or the shops stop working. The causes it has in mind are mostly ordinary ones: storms, floods, a burst main, a cyber attack on something dull but important.
Our hall for this is called Doomsday Preppers, because it made us smile. The kit itself is the sensible, unexciting kind: water, tins, a torch, a radio. Most of it is already in your cupboards. The official advice is to check what you have and add the gaps a little at a time on the normal shop, not to buy it all at once.
Water and food
The official figure is three litres of drinking water per person per day, so nine litres each for three days, plus more for cooking and washing. For food, choose things that keep without a fridge and can be eaten without cooking: tinned fish, meat, beans and vegetables, dried fruit, nuts. Buy what you already eat, so it gets used and replaced. Keep a tin opener that works without electricity.
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Light and warmth
A torch and spare batteries for each floor of the house. The Government's advice is that torches are safer than candles. If the heating is off, layers, blankets and sleeping bags do most of the work, and one warm room is easier than a whole warm house.
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News and power
When the internet and mobile networks are down, a battery or wind-up FM radio is how official information reaches you. Write the frequencies of your local and national news stations on a card and keep it with the radio. Keep a power bank charged.
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First aid, medicines and papers
A first aid kit, any medicine you rely on, and a written list of your regular medication with doses, because the app that normally holds it may not load. Order repeat prescriptions in good time. Keep some cash in notes and coins in case card machines and cash points are off, and printed copies of the documents you would need: identification, insurance, and a list of phone numbers.
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Babies, pets and neighbours
If there is a baby in the house: formula (ready to feed is easiest), nappies and wipes. For pets: food and water for three days. If anyone at home is older, unwell or has a child under five, ask your energy and water suppliers about the Priority Services Register, which tells them who needs help first. And know which neighbours might need a knock on the door.
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A word on stoves
The official list asks for food that needs no cooking, and that is the safe default. A camping stove is for outdoors only. Never use one, or a barbecue, inside a house, a tent or a garage: carbon monoxide has no smell and kills.
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Three-day emergency kit checklist
Based on the UK Government's Be Ready checklist (beready.campaign.gov.uk), which is the official version. Tick what you have, then fill the gaps over a few weeks.
Water and food
- Bottled water: 3 litres per person per day, for 3 days
- Extra water for cooking and washing
- Tinned and dried food for 3 days that needs no cooking
- Tin opener that works by hand
- Food and water for pets
Light and warmth
- Torch for each floor
- Spare batteries
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Warm clothing
News and power
- Battery or wind-up FM radio
- News station frequencies written down
- Power bank, kept charged
Health and hygiene
- First aid kit
- Essential medication and medical supplies
- Written list of regular medication and doses
- Hand sanitiser and wet wipes
- Bathroom products
Money and documents
- Cash in notes and coins
- Printed copies of key documents
- Written list of phone numbers
- Household emergency plan
If you need them
- Baby formula, nappies and wipes
- Spare glasses or hearing aid batteries
- Priority Services Register: checked and signed up
A three-day emergency kit, without the drama · kernowtradingco.com/guide/three-day-emergency-kit.html
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