In response to growing cybersecurity threats and extreme weather warnings, the UK government has issued the ‘Be Ready’ campaign, aligning its emergency advice with France, Ireland, and the Netherlands.
The checklist includes nine essential items, from bottled water and tinned food to battery-powered radios and power banks – equating to three days of household supplies.
But it isn’t about encouraging stockpiling and panic buying, as seen during the pandemic. The government highlights how you might have these items already in your home – so check your cupboards first.
The campaign also advises building up the emergency kit gradually to spread the cost, checking it every six months to replace any expired items, and connecting with the community to help those in need.
A week after announcing ‘Be Ready’, retailers have seen a sharp rise in purchases of certain items. Iceland noted a 40 per cent increase in sales of tinned products over the weekend, Robert Dyas reported a 160 per cent increase in radio sales, and Maplin saw torches and power bank sales boosted by 284 per cent and 106 per cent, respectively.
“It's encouraging that people are taking practical steps to be ready,” Defence Secretary Wes Steeting told Newsnight. “Having a few everyday essentials at home, from tinned food to torches, helps households prepare for disruption, whether that's flooding, power cuts or burst pipes. We can all play our part in making Britain more resilient.”
Spanning communication and information, money and documents, medical and hygiene products, light and warmth, and food and water, shop the full ‘Be Ready’ stockpile list below.
1. Bottled water
Amazon
The government advises stocking up on bottled water for three days, with three litres per person, per day for drinking. More might also be necessary for other tasks such as cooking and washing. This 24-pack of water bottles from Amazon equates to 12l.
2. Ready-to-eat food
Iceland
The ‘Be Ready’ campaign advises households to purchase non-perishable food to last up to three days. This means items with a long shelf life that don’t need refrigeration or cooking – think tinned meat, fish, or vegetables, plus dried fruit and nuts.
Supermarkets such as Iceland recorded a sharp spike in sales of tinned food over the weekend, but you can also shop on Amazon, Sainsbury's, Tesco and more.
3. Torch
Millets
The government suggests households purchase a torch with plenty of spare batteries, such as this OEK one from Millets (£10, Millets.co.uk), or Amazon’s LED flashlight with a battery pack (£8.02, Amazon.co.uk).
Blankets, sleeping bags and warm clothing are also advised. Bedsure’s sherpa fleece throw (£20, Amazon.co.uk) and Voyager’s sleeping bag (£18.99, Amazon.co.uk) would suffice.
4. Battery-powered or wind-up radio
Robert Dyas
To keep communication and information lines open, make sure to invest in an FM battery- or wind-up-powered radio. Retailers such as Robert Dyas have recorded an increase in purchases since the ‘Be Ready’ campaign was announced.
5. Power bank
Amazon
If the electricity goes down, a power bank is essential for keeping phones, laptops or portable heaters working. Anker’s banks are among the best you can buy – and currently discounted on Amazon.
6. First aid kit
Boots
A first aid kit is always useful to have to hand, particularly during an emergency. The government advises that every household should have one, along with essential medication and medical supplies.
7. Hygiene basics
Dettol
It’s also a good idea to buy a reserve of hygiene products, from hand sanitiser (£20 for a pack of 12, Amazon.co.uk) and wet wipes (£1.30, Boots.com) to soap (£6 for a pack of six, Amazon.co.uk) and bathroom products such as toilet roll (£14 for a pack of 24, Amazon.co.uk).
8. Baby supplies
Pampers
If there’s a newborn in the household, the government recommends stockpiling baby formula. The campaign suggests ready-made or ready-to-feed formulas (£7.25, Boots.com), as you might not be able to use boiled water to make powdered formulas safely.
9. Pet supplies
Amazon
Ensure your four-legged friends are just as cared for by stocking up on pet essentials. Along with bottled water, purchase mega packs of cat food (£42, Amazon.co.uk) and dog food (£50, Amazon.co.uk).
10. Money and documentation
Finally, the government recommends putting aside cash (a mix of coins and notes), along with cards in case of an emergency. The campaign also suggests making copies of ID’s and documents, writing down important phone numbers and information – including regular medication and doses.