Independent UK household readiness guide
When it all goes wrong, be ready.
Power cuts, floods, storms and burst mains, and the rarer disruption that lasts for weeks. Plain, practical guidance to keep your household going, checked against official UK advice, with every source linked.
Ready, not worried
Most disruption in the UK is short and local. Even so, a few hours without power, heating or tap water is much easier to handle when you already know where the torch is, have some water in the cupboard and have written down the numbers you need.
The UK Government’s Be Ready campaign suggests every household aims to manage on its own for three days, which “helps you manage while support reaches those most in need”. That is the idea behind this site: small, sensible steps, taken gradually, mostly using things you already own.
For the rarer, longer events, such as a power cut lasting days or shortages in the shops, our long-haul guides go further. Nothing here needs to be bought all at once.
Topics
All guidesPower cuts
What to do, PSR, compensation.
Flooding
Alerts, warnings and what to do.
Storms
Warnings, names and a 24-hour checklist.
Winter
Cold homes and the car kit.
Heat
Heatwaves and hot homes.
Water outages
When the taps run dry.
Plans
Kit lists and household plans.
Kit
Research-based kit guides and how we test.
Outdoors
Navigation without signal.
Long haul
All long-haul guidesFirst drafts for disruption that lasts days or weeks. Under review.
- 01When society is under strain: a household guide to prolonged disruptionA calm starting point for disruption that lasts days or weeks, and how the other long-haul guides fit together.
- 02Grid down: a power cut lasting a week or moreWhat changes when the power stays off for days, and how to keep warmth, water, food, light and contact going.
- 03Supply-chain shortages: food, medicine and fuelHow to build a steady cupboard store over time, avoid panic buying and plan for medicines.
- 04Water when the mains fail for weeksWhat your water company must provide, how much to store, and how to make water last.
- 05Staying warm without mains powerKeeping one room warm, dressing for the cold, and the carbon monoxide and fire rules for any heater.
- 06Home security and keeping a low profile during disorderLawful, defensive steps: secure doors and windows, check callers, stay indoors and away from trouble, and call the police.
- 07Comms when phones are down: radio, walkie-talkies and check-insStaying informed by radio, keeping a household in touch with licence-free radios, and agreeing check-ins in advance.
- 08Cash and documentsWhy to keep some cash, and which documents and numbers to keep on paper.
- 09Caring for children, older relatives and people who need extra helpPlanning for medicines, equipment, babies, pets and anyone who relies on you, during a long disruption.
- 10If the UK is affected by war or a national emergencyHow you would be told, why following official instructions matters, staying put or leaving, and the Civil Contingencies Act in plain words.
- 11Cyber attacks: what to do if banks, phones or the internet go downCash, offline copies and a plan for when cards, phones or the internet stop working, and how to spot the scams that follow.
Tools
All toolsHousehold emergency plan
Fill it in once, print it, stick it inside a cupboard door. Saved only on your device.
Water calculator
How much drinking water your household needs for three days, or longer.
Power bank calculator
Roughly how long a battery will run a phone, router or light.
Independent, and clear about it
Never Caught Out is an independent guide. We are not a government service and are not connected to Be Ready, Ready Scotland or NI Direct. We quote their advice, with credit, because it is good advice. Where our guides and an official source disagree, follow the official source. More about us and how we research.