Government says every UK household should have these 11 emergency essentials – here's the official checklist
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The Government is urging households to prepare for emergencies including power cuts, cyber attacks and extreme weather. We've taken the official emergency supplies list and matched every recommendation with a carefully chosen product in one easy-to-browse shopping list.
The Government is urging households to prepare for emergencies including power cuts, cyber attacks and extreme weather. We've taken the official emergency supplies list and matched every recommendation with a carefully chosen product in our Iconic Top Buys shopping list.
Millions of households are being encouraged to prepare for emergencies after ministers announced a new national resilience campaign covering everything from prolonged power cuts to cyber attacks and extreme weather.
The campaign comes as the UK faces increasingly frequent heatwaves, growing concerns over cyber attacks on critical infrastructure and the possibility of disruption to electricity, water supplies and communications. Ministers say taking a few simple steps now could make a significant difference if services are interrupted for several days.
One of the Government's key recommendations is that every household should gradually build an emergency kit containing practical everyday items that can help during unexpected disruption.
The Government's emergency essentials checklist
- Portable power bank
- Battery or wind-up torch
- Battery or wind-up radio
- Spare batteries
- First aid kit
- Hand sanitiser
- Wet wipes
- Bottled water
- Non-perishable food
- Tin opener
- Baby supplies (where needed)
Rather than leaving readers to search for each item individually, we've taken the Government's official emergency supplies list and found the products that best match each recommendation. You can browse the complete Iconic Top Buys Emergency Essentials list, where you'll also find the latest prices and availability.
Portable power bank
The Government recommends keeping a portable power bank so you can continue charging your mobile phone if electricity is unavailable. Staying connected could be vital for receiving emergency information, contacting loved ones or making important phone calls during a prolonged power cut. Our recommended Anker Power Bank is included in the Iconic Top Buys Emergency Essentials list.
Battery or wind-up torch
Officials advise keeping a torch at home rather than relying on candles, which present an unnecessary fire risk. A dependable LED torch is one of the simplest additions to any emergency kit and should be stored somewhere easy to find. We've included a recommended LED torch in our Emergency Essentials list.
Read more: Ryichi wind-up radio review
Battery or wind-up radio
If mobile networks, broadband or television services are disrupted, a battery or wind-up radio can provide access to official updates and emergency broadcasts. Our selected emergency radio features in the Emergency Essentials list.
Spare batteries
Torches and radios are only useful if they have power, making spare batteries another essential recommendation from the Government. A large multipack means you'll have replacements ready whenever you need them. You can find our recommended AA batteries in the curated list.
First aid kit
Every household should have a well-stocked first aid kit that is easy to access during an emergency. Buying a complete kit is often simpler than assembling individual items yourself. We've added our recommended first aid kit to the Emergency Essentials list.
Hand sanitiser
The Government also advises keeping hand sanitiser available in case water supplies are interrupted. It is a simple item that can help maintain hygiene until normal services resume. You'll find our recommended hand sanitiser in the shopping list.
Wet wipes
Wet wipes are another practical addition to an emergency kit, particularly if running water is temporarily unavailable. They're useful for basic hygiene and general cleaning, and we've included a recommended multipack of wet wipes in the list.
Bottled water
The Government recommends keeping bottled drinking water at home as part of your emergency supplies. Exactly how much you'll need depends on the size of your household, but having some stored safely could prove invaluable during a water outage. Our recommended bottled water multipack is included here.
Non-perishable food
Long-life food that doesn't require refrigeration or cooking forms another important part of the Government's advice. Tinned foods and other cupboard staples can help you remain self-sufficient if services are disrupted for a short period. We've added recommended non-perishable food essentials to the list.
Tin opener
It's an item many people already own, but one that's easy to forget about until it's needed. If your emergency food supplies include canned goods, a reliable manual tin opener is essential. Our recommended tin opener is also included in the Emergency Essentials collection.
Baby supplies
For households with babies, the Government advises keeping appropriate supplies such as nappies and ready-to-feed formula, which doesn't rely on boiling water or sterilising bottles. We've highlighted suitable baby essentials in our Emergency Essentials shopping list.
The Government stresses that preparing for emergencies doesn't mean rushing out to buy everything in one go. Instead, households are encouraged to build their emergency kit gradually over time, adding items whenever they can. If you're thinking of putting one together, it's worth checking the Iconic Top Buys Emergency Essentials list for the latest prices and availability before making any purchase.