Independent, practical guidance
Practical emergency preparedness for UK households
From everyday essentials to more advanced emergency equipment, discover practical advice to help you prepare for power cuts, water shortages and other unexpected disruptions. Whether you're starting with a small budget or looking to build a more comprehensive emergency kit, you'll find straightforward guidance to help you make informed decisions.
I've taken the UK government's emergency supply advice and turned it into practical, easy-to-follow guidance. You'll find product recommendations across a range of prices, straightforward advice on what to look for, and tips to help you choose what genuinely suits your household.
You don't need to buy everything at once. Start with the essentials, use what you already have where appropriate, and build your emergency supplies at a pace that works for you.
My aim is simple: to help you and your household prepare in a way that is practical, proportionate and right for your circumstances.
Practical advice. Sensible preparation.
Explore the essentials, build your knowledge and prepare at your own pace.
Emergency Essentials
The core supplies and preparations every household should consider.
Essential Guides
9 Essential Emergency Supplies for Your Home
A practical guide to the emergency supplies the UK government advises keeping at home — from bottled water to batteries — with tips on what to buy first.
Read the guideEssential Guides
How Much Water Do You Need in Your Emergency Kit?
According to UK government advice you should have 2.5-3 litres of drinking water per person per day in your emergency supplies.
Read the guideEmergency Preparedness on a Budget
Ways to prepare affordably, prioritise purchases and spread the cost over time.
More budget guidesPractical Emergency Guides
Detailed advice on preparing for particular situations and using your supplies.
Practical Guides
How to Cook in an Emergency Situation
A two-tier approach to cooking when your normal appliances are unusable: a camping gas stove first, with a wood-burning stove as a back-up.
Read the guidePractical Guides
Should You Store Pasta and Rice in Your Emergency Food Supply?
Dried pasta and rice are cheap and filling, but they need fuel and water to cook. Here are the pros, the problems and some practical alternatives.
Read the guidePower Stations & Backup Electricity
Portable power stations, solar charging and other ways to keep essential equipment running during a power cut.
Power Stations & Backup Electricity
Portable Power Stations Explained: What Can They Power During a Power Cut?
How portable power stations work, what watts and watt-hours mean, and how long they could run lights, routers, laptops and fridges during a power cut.
Read the guidePower Stations & Backup Electricity
Best Jackery Power Stations for Emergency Home Backup: Four Options Compared
A comparison of four Jackery power stations, from the budget Explorer 240 v2 to the Explorer 3000 v2, with prices, capacities and running times.
Read the guide