How to prepare for an emergency
03 November 2026
No one likes to think about emergencies. Whether it's severe weather, flooding, a power cut or disruption to essential services, it's easy to assume it won't happen to us.
The truth is that unexpected situations can affect anyone, disrupting daily routines, limiting access to services and creating additional stress when we're least prepared for it.
The good news is that being prepared doesn't mean rushing around the shops and battling it out to fill your home with supplies. It's about taking a few simple steps now, so you feel more confident for whatever lies ahead.
The Government's Be Ready campaign is encouraging households to do exactly that. There's no need to panic. The campaign's message is simply that being prepared to cope for up to three days can help you manage if services are disrupted, while support reaches those who need it most.
A little preparation today can make a big difference tomorrow.
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Why being prepared matters
Most emergencies aren't major disasters. More often, they're unexpected events that temporarily disrupt everyday life and make routine tasks more difficult.
A loss of power or transport disruption can have a knock-on effect on work, school, healthcare and day-to-day responsibilities. For households with young children, older family members or people who rely on medication or support services, even a short interruption can create additional challenges.
Being prepared isn't about worrying. It's about taking a few simple steps in advance so you can stay informed, access the things you need and feel more in control if your routine is unexpectedly disrupted.
Common emergencies that could affect your home
Severe weather
Storms, strong winds, heavy rain and snowfall can affect homes and local services throughout the year.
Storm Austen and Storm Boelo showed how quickly conditions can change and how widely disruption can be felt across the country.
Keeping an eye on the Met Office Warnings and Advice service is a good way to stay informed about upcoming storms or severe conditions that may affect your area.
If severe weather is expected, take a few simple precautions around your home. Bring loose outdoor items indoors, charge essential devices, and make sure you have enough food, medication and household essentials to last a few days if travel becomes difficult.
Check out our guides below for a more detailed run-through:
Flooding
Flooding can happen quickly and often with little warning.
Knowing whether your area is at risk and understanding what action to take if flooding occurs can help you respond more confidently.
If flooding is possible in your area, consider moving important documents and valuable items to higher levels of your home where practical. It can also be useful to know your safest route out of the local area and to keep emergency contact details somewhere easy to access.
You can find more practical advice in our guide What to do if your home floods.
Power cuts
Most power cuts are resolved quickly, but it's still worth having a plan in place.
Simple things such as keeping a torch nearby, having a charged power bank and knowing where key contact information is stored can make a situation far easier to manage.
You may also find our guide How to prepare for a power cut useful.
Don't get left in the dark!
Digital and service disruption
Many of the services we rely on every day are now digital, from banking and shopping to travel updates and communication. If mobile networks, broadband services or online systems are unavailable, it can be more difficult to access information and stay connected.
If your phone battery dies or your internet connection goes down, would you still know the number to call?
Keeping key information somewhere you can access without relying on a device can provide real peace of mind. Consider keeping:
- Emergency contacts
- GP and pharmacy numbers
- Utility provider contact information
- Insurance documents
- Important medical information
It's a good idea to have both digital and paper copies where possible.
Know your home
Take time to familiarise yourself with your property and make sure you know where things like your stopcock, fuse box and meters are located.
Regularly checking smoke alarms and keeping gutters clear can also help reduce risks around the home.
Talk to your household
A quick conversation today can prevent a lot of uncertainty later.
Make sure everyone in your household knows who they should contact if communications are disrupted and what they would do if they needed to leave the property quickly.
If you have children, explaining things in a calm and reassuring way can help them feel more comfortable. If someone in your household depends on medication or support services, it can also be helpful to think about any additional preparations they may need.
These conversations may seem small, but they can make a big difference when people are under pressure.
Building your emergency kit
You don't need to rush out and buy lots of specialist equipment.
Many households already have most of the essentials they need. Think of an emergency kit as a collection of useful items that can help make life more comfortable if normal services are disrupted.
Consider including:
- A torch and spare batteries
- A portable phone charger or power bank
- Bottled water
- Long-life food
- Essential medication
- A basic first aid kit
- Warm clothing and blankets
- Copies of important documents
- Emergency cash
- Important contact numbers
Preparing for emergencies doesn't have to be overwhelming. If you add a few items over time, you'll be surprised how quickly your kit comes together.
Emergency preparations checklist
Not sure where to begin? Use this simple checklist to review your preparations and identify any areas you may want to revisit.
- Save important emergency contact numbers
- Locate your stopcock and fuse box
- Test your smoke alarms
- Prepare a basic emergency kit
- Charge phones and power banks
- Store important documents safely
- Review insurance documents
- Talk through emergency plans with your household
- Sign up to weather or flood alerts if appropriate
- Check that essential medication is up to date
Being prepared starts with confidence
Preparing for an emergency isn't about waiting for something to go wrong. It's about feeling confident that you can handle a situation if it does.
By taking a few simple steps today, you can reduce stress, stay connected and make sure your household is better prepared for unexpected disruption. Small actions now can make a difference when it matters most.
If you’ve found this guide useful and want more seasonal tips be sure to explore our My Place hub.