72-hour emergency checklist UK: your household plan
Apply the UK government’s three-day advice: calculate water, tick supplies you own, track missing essentials and print a private household checklist.
Published · Updated
The government’s Be Ready guidance encourages households to prepare for three days of disruption. ReadyEssentials turns that advice into a practical household check. We are independent and are not endorsed by government.
Check cupboards and working equipment first, then build up missing supplies gradually. The interactive checklist below needs JavaScript; the complete category reference and calculation method remain readable and printable without it.
Your household
Use this checklist without an account. Save on this device if you want to return later; unsaved answers are cleared when you leave.
Include at least one person. To change a household to children only, add children before setting adults to zero. Each person is counted once.
No allergy, diagnosis, medicine or other personal details are requested.
Plan duration: 3 days. Use the full calculator to change duration.
Local saving is off. No household answers are sent to our servers.
ReadyEssentials household plan · 28/10/2026
Your household checklist
2 people · 0 pets · 3-day plan. Sources checked 27 October 2026.
0% estimated checklist completion · 15 outstanding requirements
Equal weight per applicable requirement; proportional water/food credit. Optional items do not affect completion. This is an organisation aid, not a safety certification.
Save your progress before moving between pages. Shopping suggestions appear only beside missing, purchasable items. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Purchase links are pending owner selection.
Water and hydration
Drinking water
Government-listed item · checked 27 October 2026 ↗ · Essential planning item
2 people × 3 litres × 3 days. Drinking water only.
Target: 18 litres · Have: 0 · Missing: 18
People × 3 litres × days. Each person is counted once, including infants; feeding and clinical needs need separate planning.
○ Outstanding
What to look for: Drinking water+
Check sealed drinking water and available storage before buying more.
Suitable water storage containers
ReadyEssentials additional suggestion · Conditional
A separate container may be unnecessary if you use sealed bottled water.
Target: 1 household check · Have: 0 · Missing: 1
One completed household check. This is our tracking unit, not an official number of products.
○ Outstanding
What to look for: Suitable water storage containers+
Use food-safe containers with manageable filled weight and follow supplier instructions.
Food and cooking
Suitable non-perishable food
Government-listed item · checked 27 October 2026 ↗ · Essential planning item
2 people for 3 days (6 person-days). This is a planning count, not a calorie or portion prescription.
Target: 3 days · Have: 0 · Missing: 3
Days of suitable food for everyone at home. This is your estimate, not a calorie or portion prescription.
○ Outstanding
What to look for: Suitable non-perishable food+
Check labels, dietary suitability, serving access and what is already in your cupboards.
Manual can opener
ReadyEssentials additional suggestion · Conditional
Only needed for tins you cannot open without one. Earlier Prepare guidance mentions a tin opener.
Target: 1 household check · Have: 0 · Missing: 1
One completed household check. This is our tracking unit, not an official number of products.
○ Outstanding
What to look for: Manual can opener+
Try the opener you own on the tins you plan to use.
Lighting and warmth
Working torch
Government-listed item · checked 27 October 2026 ↗ · Essential planning item
Keep a usable torch and check its power source.
Target: 1 household check · Have: 0 · Missing: 1
One completed household check. This is our tracking unit, not an official number of products.
○ Outstanding
What to look for: Working torch+
Choose accessible controls, suitable batteries and a familiar storage place.
Warm clothing and blankets
Government-listed item · checked 27 October 2026 ↗ · Essential planning item
Check warm layers and bedding.
Target: 1 household check · Have: 0 · Missing: 1
One completed household check. This is our tracking unit, not an official number of products.
○ Outstanding
What to look for: Warm clothing and blankets+
Confirm everyone has suitable layers. One tick means the household is covered, not one blanket per home.
Communications and power
Matching spare batteries
Government-listed item · checked 27 October 2026 ↗ · Conditional
Check what your torch and radio actually use.
Target: 1 household check · Have: 0 · Missing: 1
One completed household check. This is our tracking unit, not an official number of products.
○ Outstanding
What to look for: Matching spare batteries+
Match type and fit; a household check does not estimate battery life or capacity.
Charged power bank and cable
Government-listed item · checked 27 October 2026 ↗ · Essential planning item
Keep a charged compatible power bank.
Target: 1 household check · Have: 0 · Missing: 1
One completed household check. This is our tracking unit, not an official number of products.
○ Outstanding
What to look for: Charged power bank and cable+
Test your usual phone and cable. No universal charge-count claim is made; medical devices require specialist advice.
Battery or wind-up FM radio
Government-listed item · checked 27 October 2026 ↗ · Essential planning item
Have an FM radio for updates.
Target: 1 household check · Have: 0 · Missing: 1
One completed household check. This is our tracking unit, not an official number of products.
○ Outstanding
What to look for: Battery or wind-up FM radio+
Check reception, controls and matching batteries. Note local news frequencies on paper.
First aid and medication
First aid kit or first aid items
Government-listed item · checked 27 October 2026 ↗ · Essential planning item
Locate basic first aid supplies.
Target: 1 household check · Have: 0 · Missing: 1
One completed household check. This is our tracking unit, not an official number of products.
○ Outstanding
What to look for: First aid kit or first aid items+
Check existing contents, expiry dates and instructions before replacing a whole kit.
Essential medication and medical supplies
Government-listed item · checked 27 October 2026 ↗ · Conditional
Plan usual medication and supplies where needed.
Target: 1 household check · Have: 0 · Missing: 1
One completed household check. This is our tracking unit, not an official number of products.
○ Outstanding
Hygiene and sanitation
Hygiene and bathroom supplies
Government-listed item · checked 27 October 2026 ↗ · Essential planning item
Check sanitiser, wipes and bathroom products.
Target: 1 household check · Have: 0 · Missing: 1
One completed household check. This is our tracking unit, not an official number of products.
○ Outstanding
What to look for: Hygiene and bathroom supplies+
Choose supplies suitable for the whole household; rotate your usual products.
Cash, documents and emergency contacts
Paper emergency contacts and information
Government-listed item · checked 27 October 2026 ↗ · Essential planning item
Keep important phone numbers on paper.
Target: 1 household check · Have: 0 · Missing: 1
One completed household check. This is our tracking unit, not an official number of products.
○ Outstanding
Copies of important documents
Government-listed item · checked 27 October 2026 ↗ · Essential planning item
Make relevant document copies accessible.
Target: 1 household check · Have: 0 · Missing: 1
One completed household check. This is our tracking unit, not an official number of products.
○ Outstanding
Cash and payment cards
Government-listed item · checked 27 October 2026 ↗ · Essential planning item
Consider accessible cash and cards.
Target: 1 household check · Have: 0 · Missing: 1
One completed household check. This is our tracking unit, not an official number of products.
○ Outstanding
Supplementary suggestions are hidden and excluded from your completion score.
Review before relying on this plan
Check supplies every six months and after use or household changes. Drinking-water totals exclude extra cooking, washing, pet, infant-feeding and medical needs. Food coverage is your household estimate. Follow current official instructions during an incident.
Independent tool; not government endorsed. Inclusion in official advice does not make our quantities, products or progress score official.
Official source: beready.campaign.gov.uk/be-ready-for-emergencies/ · Rules: 2026-10-be-ready-v2. Household checks and scores are independent ReadyEssentials decisions.
Checklist reference: official advice and additional suggestions
Government-listed labels mean the item appears in the current guidance, not that a product or our progress score is endorsed. Conditional items depend on your household. One “household check” means you have checked enough suitable supplies for your home; it is not an official requirement to buy one of each product.
Water and hydration
- Drinking water: Keep drinking water; plan extra needs separately. Government-listed. People × 3 litres × days. Each person is counted once, including infants; feeding and clinical needs need separate planning.
- Suitable water storage containers: A separate container may be unnecessary if you use sealed bottled water. ReadyEssentials additional suggestion. Use food-safe containers with manageable filled weight and follow supplier instructions.
Food and cooking
- Suitable non-perishable food: Choose familiar, shelf-stable food that needs no cooking or refrigeration. Government-listed. Days of suitable food for everyone at home. This is your estimate, not a calorie or portion prescription.
- Manual can opener: Only needed for tins you cannot open without one. Earlier Prepare guidance mentions a tin opener. ReadyEssentials additional suggestion. Try the opener you own on the tins you plan to use.
Lighting and warmth
- Working torch: Keep a usable torch and check its power source. Government-listed. Choose accessible controls, suitable batteries and a familiar storage place.
- Warm clothing and blankets: Check warm layers and bedding. Government-listed. Confirm everyone has suitable layers. One tick means the household is covered, not one blanket per home.
- Additional lantern: An optional extra; excluded from completion. ReadyEssentials additional suggestion. Check existing lighting first. An additional lantern is not required by our checklist.
Communications and power
- Matching spare batteries: Check what your torch and radio actually use. Government-listed. Match type and fit; a household check does not estimate battery life or capacity.
- Charged power bank and cable: Keep a charged compatible power bank. Government-listed. Test your usual phone and cable. No universal charge-count claim is made; medical devices require specialist advice.
- Battery or wind-up FM radio: Have an FM radio for updates. Government-listed. Check reception, controls and matching batteries. Note local news frequencies on paper.
First aid and medication
- First aid kit or first aid items: Locate basic first aid supplies. Government-listed. Check existing contents, expiry dates and instructions before replacing a whole kit.
- Essential medication and medical supplies: Plan usual medication and supplies where needed. Government-listed. Use your normal pharmacy and care team. Do not change doses or stockpile; keep private medication details off this website.
Hygiene and sanitation
- Hygiene and bathroom supplies: Check sanitiser, wipes and bathroom products. Government-listed. Choose supplies suitable for the whole household; rotate your usual products.
Cash, documents and emergency contacts
- Paper emergency contacts and information: Keep important phone numbers on paper. Government-listed. Write private details on your own paper plan. This website does not ask you to enter contacts or medicines.
- Copies of important documents: Make relevant document copies accessible. Government-listed. Use copies you already have and store private information securely.
- Cash and payment cards: Consider accessible cash and cards. Government-listed. Choose an affordable amount for your circumstances. No official fixed cash amount is claimed.
Babies and young children
- Baby feeding supplies: Consider appropriate baby formula when applicable. Government-listed. Check current official feeding advice and your usual professional guidance; no formula quantities or preparation instructions are calculated.
- Nappies and baby wipes: Include nappies and wipes when needed. Government-listed. Estimate from your own usual use and sizes; mark not applicable if nobody needs them.
Pets
- Pet food and drinking water: Include food and water for pets. Government-listed. Use familiar food and plan species-appropriate water with your vet when needed. Human drinking-water totals exclude pets.
Household-specific requirements
- Personal supplies and contingency plan: Review accessibility and essential equipment arrangements with your support team. ReadyEssentials additional suggestion. Agree appropriate support and backup arrangements privately; this tool does not specify medical device power requirements.
- Dietary requirements checked: Check that planned food suits everyone who will eat it. ReadyEssentials additional suggestion. Review labels, allergies and usual dietary needs privately. No personal details need to be entered.
How household quantities and progress work
Drinking water = people × 3 litres × days. Two adults and two children over three days need a 36-litre drinking-water baseline. If 24 litres are stored, 12 litres are missing. Count infants once in people; their feeding needs require separate planning.
Food coverage is your estimate of days of appropriate, ready-to-eat food for everyone. We do not invent official portions or calories. Check dietary suitability and whether packages can be opened without mains power.
Equipment, paperwork and household needs use a confirmation rather than an invented battery-life, medicine or cash formula. Every applicable requirement has equal weight; water and food receive partial credit. Optional and not-applicable items are excluded. A completed list does not guarantee safety.
Pet types prompt a separate review of familiar food and water; there is no one-size-fits-all animal allowance. More water may be needed for cooking, washing, feeding and medical use. See the water calculation method.
Questions about your three-day checklist
Do I need a ready-made emergency kit?
No. Start with useful supplies you already own and can find and operate. Add gaps during your usual shopping when affordable. Our 72-hour kit guide explains the planning framework.
Can I save and print without an account?
Yes. Choose local saving to keep progress on this device. The calculator, checklist and missing view share that saved plan. Reset removes it. Printing and text downloads are free and do not require an email.
Where is the original government checklist?
Read the official printable Be Ready checklist (PDF). Our personalised quantities, progress controls, missing view and selection guidance are independent additions. For context, see why prepare for three days.
Sources & editorial notes
- Cabinet Office announcement — 22 October 2026
- Official household preparedness guidance
- Official Be Ready checklist (PDF)
Official guidance, downloadable checklist and announcement checked on . Our selection guidance and tracking quantities are independent editorial additions. Follow current official and local instructions during an incident.
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