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Prepare Your Household for Emergencies
Not every emergency will require you to leave your home. In some situations, staying indoors is the safest option. Just as it’s important to have a Get Prepared Bag, it’s also important to ensure your home is ready for disruptions.
We recommend that households prepare for at least 72 hours (three days). Having basic supplies available can help you manage if essential services are disrupted.
Essential Supplies
Consider keeping:
- Bottled water or clean water containers with lids
- Food for three days
- Essential medications
- Pet supplies
- Cash
- An FM radio (preferably wind-up or battery-powered)
- An alternative cooking method (such as a camping stove)
- A power bank
- A torch and spare batteries
Download the full checklist below
When might you need these supplies?
Household preparedness can be invaluable during a range of situations that disrupt everyday life. This could include extended power cuts, loss of water supply, severe weather, fuel or food shortages, disruptions caused by industrial action or major incidents, loss of public transport, widespread cyber incidents, or periods when illness or injury prevent you from leaving home. Having essential supplies readily available can help you and your household remain safe, comfortable and resilient until normal services are restored.
How to Be Prepared
Preparing for emergencies doesn’t have to be expensive or happen all at once.
Many households already have useful items such as tinned food, bottled drinks, torches or blankets. Building preparedness gradually by adding an extra tin to your weekly shop, storing some extra water or keeping a charged power bank can make a big difference over time.
The goal isn’t perfection. Every small step helps make your household more resilient and gives you greater peace of mind if something unexpected happens.
Priority Services Register (PSR)
If you or someone in your household has additional support needs, you may be eligible for the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The PSR can provide:
- Advance notice of planned power outages
- Additional support during unplanned supply interruptions
- Alternative bill formats, including large print, Braille and audio
- Help with meter readings
- Support for customers who rely on medical equipment
- Tailored assistance for vulnerable households
You may be eligible if someone in your household:
- Relies on medical equipment or refrigerated medicines
- Has a serious or long-term health condition
- Has a disability
- Is living with dementia
- Is of pensionable age
- Has children under five
- Has mental health challenges
For more information about the PSR, click here. To register, sign up here.
Get Prepared
