72-hour household checklist

Check what you already have

Walk the house before you buy anything. Tick items you already own and can find in the dark.

• Working torch (not only phone light) and spare batteries or wind-up
• Battery or wind-up FM radio, or a written car-radio plan if safe
• Charged power bank and leads
• Bottled water or clean sealed containers you can fill
• Ready-to-eat food you already buy, plus a tin opener
• Essential medication for several days, with doses written down
• Basic first-aid items
• Blankets, sleeping bags or spare warm layers

Water and food

Official checklists suggest about 3 litres of drinking water per person per day for three days, plus more for hygiene, cooking, pets or formula. Prefer food you already eat.

• Drinking water for three days (about 3 L per person per day)
• Extra water noted for hygiene, cooking, pets or formula if needed
• Three days of non-perishable food that needs no fridge or cooking
• Tin opener kept with the food
• Ready-to-feed formula / baby food if needed (safer if you cannot boil water)
• Pet food and water if needed

Light and warmth

Torches are safer than candles. Keep spare cells with the torch.

• Torch with spare batteries or a wind-up torch
• Spare batteries stored where you can find them
• Warm clothing layers for everyone in the household
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Plan to close unused rooms and draw curtains to keep heat in

Communications

• Power-cut number on paper: 105 (England, Scotland, Wales) or 03457 643643 (Northern Ireland)
• Battery or wind-up radio for updates if broadband fails
• Local/national radio frequencies written on paper
• Charged power bank for essential phone use
• Paper list of household, school, insurance and ICE contacts

Hygiene

• Hand sanitiser
• Wet wipes for limited washing water
• Essential toiletries and bathroom supplies for a few days
• Rubbish bags for waste if collections are disrupted

Essential documents

• Copies or known location of ID and important certificates
• Insurance policy details and contact numbers
• Prescription details / medication list
• Printed or handwritten household emergency plan
• Small amount of cash (coins and notes) as well as cards

Household-specific needs

Only tick what applies. Accessibility, care and medical equipment needs come first.

• Priority Services Register / Customer Care Register checked if eligible
• Telecare / medical device behaviour in a power cut confirmed with the provider
• Spare glasses, contact lenses or hearing-aid batteries if needed
• Spare mobility aids or written instructions for equipment if needed
• Waterproof grab-bag subset if temporary flood leave is plausible
• Modest winter car kit if you drive in severe weather

Household plan (on paper)

• Fire escape routes and flood actions discussed
• Meeting point if you cannot return home
• ICE / Medical ID on phones; nominated contact told
• School or childcare contact numbers checked
• Flood warnings signed up (Environment Agency or SEPA Floodline as appropriate)
• Met Office weather warnings method chosen
• Six-month calendar reminder to review the kit