72-Hour Home Emergency Kit
£80–£150 for two people 13 items
The UK Government's Be Ready campaign asks every household to be able to cope for at least three days without outside help. This is the baseline kit that covers that. Most of it you may already own: gather it in one box or cupboard so you can find it in the dark.
| Item | How much | Typical price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottled water Plan for roughly 3 litres of drinking water per person per day, plus extra for cooking and washing. |
At least 9 litres per person | £3–£15 | Check price → |
| Non-perishable food you normally eat Tins, pasta, oats, peanut butter, crackers. Choose food that needs little or no cooking. |
3 days per person | £15–£30 | Check price → |
| Manual tin opener Electric openers are useless in a power cut. |
1 | £3–£8 | Check price → |
| Wind-up or battery torch Safer than candles. Keep one in every bedroom if you can. |
1–2 | £8–£20 | Check price → |
| Wind-up / battery FM radio If mobile and broadband are down, FM radio still carries official updates. |
1 | £15–£35 | Check price → |
| Power bank (10,000–20,000 mAh) Keeps phones alive for calls and alerts. Keep it charged. |
1 per adult | £15–£30 | Check price → |
| Spare batteries Check sizes for your torch and radio. |
1 pack per size | £5–£12 | Check price → |
| First aid kit Plasters, bandages, antiseptic wipes, gloves, tweezers, thermometer. |
1 | £12–£25 | Check price → |
| Prescription medicines Keep a few days' supply and a written list of what everyone takes. |
3+ days | — | |
| Cash in small notes Card machines and cashpoints may not work. |
£50–£100 | — | |
| Copies of key documents ID, insurance policy, emergency contacts, in a waterproof wallet. |
1 set | £5–£10 | Check price → |
| Warm layers and blankets Homes cool quickly without heating. |
1 per person | £0–£20 | Check price → |
| Hygiene basics Wet wipes, hand gel, bin bags, toilet roll, sanitary products. |
3 days | £5–£15 | Check price → |
Prices are typical UK ranges and change often. Links go to Amazon UK search results; we may earn a commission.
Tips
- Write the emergency numbers on a card: 999 (emergency), 105 (power cut), 111 (NHS), 0345 988 1188 (Floodline).
- Check use-by dates and power bank charge every six months — when the clocks change is an easy reminder.
- Don't forget pets, babies or anyone in the house with extra needs — see the dedicated kits.