What the government is asking UK households to stock up on — and what to buy

# What to buy and why

The government is encouraging UK households to keep a small emergency stockpile for short-term incidents: power failures, water disruption, cyber outages or the effects of extreme weather. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting framed it as a simple preparedness step — have what you need indoors if services are temporarily unavailable.

This brief explains what the guidance recommends, practical item choices, water and food volumes to consider, and a few household-specific checks to make.

Core emergency kit items

Store these items together in a single, easy-to-find place, ideally where you can reach them in the dark.

• Torch (battery or wind-up). Torches are safer than candles.
• Portable power bank for charging a mobile phone.

• First-aid items: plasters, bandages, thermometer, antiseptic, sterile dressings, gloves, tweezers, medical tape.
• Hand sanitiser and wet wipes for hygiene when water is off.

Streeting and official guidance stress that this is a small, practical kit for a short incident — not a long-term bunker store.

Water: how much to keep

There is no single standard because needs vary, but the World Health Organization's basic guidance is a useful baseline. Keep at least 2.5–3 litres of drinking water per person per day. If you want water for cooking and basic washing, consider storing around 10 litres per person per day.

Factor in special needs: baby formula preparation, medical devices, and pets will increase demand.

Food: what to prioritise

The government highlights bottled water and tinned food that can be eaten without cooking. Nutritionists and people who prepare emergency stores suggest a mix of carbohydrates and protein for energy and satiety.

• Ready-to-eat tinned foods: tinned meat, tinned fish, tinned fruit and vegetables.
• Dry staples: oats, rice, pasta. These are calorie-dense and versatile if cooking is possible.
• Protein-rich non-perishables: kidney beans, chickpeas, peanut butter, tinned fish.

Don't forget food for pets and a tin opener.

Medical and device considerations

Maintain a supply of prescription medication to cover several days. If you rely on medical devices, keep printed operating instructions and charged spare batteries. Where possible, store back-up batteries charged and accessible.

Threats prompting the guidance

How to build a kit without overspending

You do not need to buy everything at once. Add one or two items when shopping. Prioritise water, a torch and a radio, then build food and first-aid supplies over weeks. Keep items together and rotate food and water so nothing passes expiry.

A small, practical kit reduces immediate household vulnerability during short-term disruptions and makes it easier to manage until services are restored.