60-second summary
- Plan to manage essential household needs for at least three days.
- Prioritise water, food, medication, light, power and communications.
- Agree a simple household contact and meeting plan.
- Review the plan after moves, medication changes or changes in household needs.
Start with the likely disruption
Preparedness is stronger when it is based on realistic local problems: a prolonged power cut, flood, severe weather, transport disruption, water-supply failure or the need to remain indoors. Do not buy random “survival” equipment before identifying what would actually fail in your household.
The core 72-hour checklist
- Water: drinking water plus a sensible allowance for essential hygiene.
- Food: items your household already eats that require little or no cooking.
- Medication: essential prescriptions, basic first aid and written medical details.
- Light and power: torches, spare batteries, charged power banks and safe charging options.
- Warmth: layers, blankets and a plan for vulnerable household members.
- Information: official alert channels, a radio and printed contact details.
- Documents and money: copies of key documents and a modest amount of cash.
- Sanitation: hygiene items, waste bags and supplies for babies or dependent adults.
- Pets: food, water, medication, carrier or lead, and identification.
Avoid the common mistakes
| Mistake | Better approach |
|---|---|
| Buying specialist gear but storing no water. | Cover basic human needs first. |
| Relying on one phone. | Add power banks, printed numbers and another information source. |
| Storing unfamiliar food. | Rotate ordinary shelf-stable food your household uses. |
| Ignoring medication or disability needs. | Build the plan around the most vulnerable person. |
| Never testing the plan. | Try a short no-power evening and fix the weak points. |
Review, rotate and practise
Check the kit at least twice a year and before periods of higher seasonal risk. Replace expired supplies, recharge power banks and confirm that contact details remain current.
Frequently asked questions
Why prepare for 72 hours?
Three days is a practical starting point for short disruptions. It is not a guarantee that every emergency will be resolved within that period.
How much water should I store?
Use current guidance from your local emergency authority and adjust for heat, health needs, pets and whether water is also needed for food preparation.
Do I need expensive survival equipment?
Usually not. Water, medication, ordinary food, light, warmth, power and a communication plan matter more than novelty equipment.
Primary sources and further reading
This guide is general information. For a live emergency, use the current instructions from the relevant authority.