When the power cuts, the water stops, or the shelves thin out — be the household that's ready.
The UK household preparedness guide — built on the government's own guidance and live national data.
UK aurora outlook: very low · forecast peak Kp 2
The official kit, sorted for you
The Government's Prepare campaign recommends nine things every home should keep. We explain each — and test the best products for the job, at every budget.
Bottled water
2.5–3L per person per day minimum — 10L to be comfortable.
Ready-to-eat food
Non-perishable, no cooking needed. Don't forget the tin opener.
Torch (not candles)
Battery or wind-up. Safer than flames, per official guidance.
Battery / wind-up radio
Your update line when power and mobile networks are down.
Power bank
Keep phones alive for calls, torches and information.
First aid kit
Plasters, bandages, thermometer, antiseptic, dressings.
Hygiene basics
Hand sanitiser and wet wipes for when the water's off.
Baby supplies
Nappies, ready-to-feed formula, and a way to sterilise without power.
Pet supplies
Food, water and medicines for your animals.
Grab bag
A spare bag with essentials, ready if you must leave fast.
Source: GOV.UK Prepare campaign. PreparedBritain is independent and not affiliated with HM Government.
Guides & explainers
Calm, sourced answers to the questions that matter — every claim traces to official guidance.
What this record El Niño means for a UK winter (and what it doesn't)
The Pacific is running about 3C above normal and headlines have gone straight to snow. The Met Office signal for Britain is wetter and stormier, not colder — here is what that changes at home.
Which radio actually works in a UK power cut?
Long wave closed in June 2026, and half the wind-up radios on sale here advertise an American weather band that receives nothing in Britain. What to look for instead.
Is the UK government telling people to stockpile food and water?
A post claiming Britain is telling households to stockpile for war is going round. Here is what the government actually published, what the BBC actually reported, and the short list the official advice asks for.
Can a power cut damage your appliances?
What really happens electrically when the power comes back on, which appliances are genuinely at risk, and how to protect them without overspending.
Igenix air conditioner not cooling: the fixes that actually work
The hose, seal, filter, drainage and settings checks from Igenix's own manuals — including three built-in behaviours regularly mistaken for faults — and the one failure that is never a DIY fix.
Aico vs Kidde carbon monoxide alarms: what the difference actually is
Aico and Kidde both certify to BS EN 50291-1:2018 — the real differences are sales channel, how each brand interlinks, battery format and price. Plus the sealed-battery rule that decides it in Scotland.
Kit reviews, price-checked
Every recommendation is checked against at least two independent sources, with UK prices re-checked on a schedule — and we say plainly when not to buy.
Jump starters
NOCO, CTEK, Ring and GOOLOO jump starters compared on the engines they honestly start — not inflated peak-am…
Radiator & heating efficiency
Adey filters, tado and Hive smart TRVs, SpeedComfort fans and reflector foil compared, UK prices tracked — p…
Personal & careline alarms
SureSafe, CPR Guardian, Doro and TTfone alarms compared — 4G status, fall detection and true monthly costs. …
Power stations
Keep the fridge, wifi and phones running in a blackout — the best UK power stations, tested against price an…
Keeping warm without power
Hot water bottles, wool and down blankets, thermal layers and heated throws — how to stay warm in a winter p…
Carbon monoxide alarms
FireAngel, Aico, Kidde and more — CO alarms compared on sensor life, standards and display, so you buy one t…
Winter driving kit
Snow socks, chains, scrapers and shovels compared for UK winters, with prices tracked. No UK road requires c…
Emergency food
UK emergency food supplies and kits, compared on calories, shelf life and cost per adult per day — how long …
Dehumidifiers
Meaco, EcoAir and Pro Breeze dehumidifiers compared and price-tracked for UK homes — including which ones wo…
Explore PreparedBritain
Live national data, honest kit, government schemes and growing your own — all in one calm place.
Live trackers
Britain right now — floods, power cuts, hosepipe bans, drought and more, from official data.
Save money
Government grants and bill support, explained plainly — heat pumps, solar, energy bills.
Grow your own
Food resilience from the garden — beds, greenhouses, preserving, fishing and foraging.
Your local risk
Check the long-term flood risk where you live, area by area.
Area dossiers
Your area's crime, flood, water and power picture on one page — live data, official sources.
The Blackout Briefing
One email when it actually matters: severe weather inbound, live incidents, recalls, and genuine kit price drops. No noise. Free forever.