Household emergency kit checklist

Every home needs the same core kit: water, food, light, warmth, information and a plan. This is the full list, sized here for two adults, with notes for people living alone and older households.

Who this plan is for

Two adults. SupKit's planning assumptions for this household:

Water and food for 2 adults

What official guidance in the UK says

• The UK checklist suggests checking expiry dates and swapping items every six months.²
• UK Emergency Alerts reach phones and tablets by current location; you don't need location services turned on.³
• UKHSA advises heating the rooms you use most, like the living room or bedroom, to at least 18°C.⁴
• The Priority Services Register is a free service for people with extra needs (Customer Care Registers in Northern Ireland).⁵
• Check on people at higher risk from the heat.⁶

Also on the UK's official kit list

• UK kit includes a battery or wind-up FM radio and a charged power bank.²
• UK kit includes a torch with spare batteries, and blankets, sleeping bags and warm clothes.²
• UK kit includes cash in a mix of coins and notes, plus cards.²
• UK kit includes copies of ID and documents, key phone numbers, a first aid kit and essential medication.²

Food

• Food for everyone Essential
  Non-perishable food that will last your household for your chosen number of days.
• Manual tin opener
  A tin opener that doesn't need electricity.

Water

• Drinking water Essential
  3 litres per person per day for drinking is the commonly recommended amount.

Hygiene

• Hand sanitiser
  For when running water isn't available.
• Wet wipes
  Useful for cleaning when water is limited.
• Toilet roll and bathroom products
  Toilet roll, bin bags and other bathroom basics.
• Personal hygiene supplies
  Toothpaste, soap, period products and anything else your household uses daily.

Power & warmth

• Torch Essential
  A torch for each part of the home you'd need to move around in the dark.
• Spare batteries
  The right sizes for your torch and radio.
• Charged power bank
  To keep a phone charged during a power cut.
• Battery or wind-up radio
  To hear updates if mobile networks are down.
• Blankets or sleeping bags
  To keep everyone warm if the heating is off.
• Camping stove
  A way to heat food and water without mains power, with spare fuel. Only use it outdoors or somewhere well ventilated.
• Warm clothing
  Layers, hats and gloves that are easy to find.

Health & safety

• First aid kit Essential
  A stocked first aid kit that everyone knows where to find.

Plans & essentials

• Emergency contacts Essential
  Important numbers saved where you can reach them without the internet.
• Meeting point
  Somewhere your household agrees to meet if you're separated.
• Utility shut-offs
  Where to turn off water, gas and electricity.
• Some cash
  Card machines and cash points may not work in a power cut.
• Important documents
  Know where your important documents are kept. SupKit never asks you to upload them.
• Insurance details
  Policy numbers and claim lines for home and contents insurance.

A sample shopping list for 3 days

One way to reach 13,500 calories with long-life food. SupKit estimate Swap in what your household likes.

Allergies, dietary needs and children

Plan around everyone at home: allergies, intolerances and diets come first, and familiar food matters most for children. Recipes vary between brands, so always read the label of the product you buy.

Typical allergens and diets are SupKit's guide to the main ingredient, not a product's label.

• UK food law names 14 major allergens, including cereals containing gluten, milk, eggs, fish, peanuts, tree nuts, soya, sesame, celery, mustard and sulphites.⁷
• On pre-packed food in the UK, these allergens must be emphasised in the ingredients list, for example in bold.⁷
• 'May contain' warnings aren't a legal requirement, so a missing warning doesn't guarantee a food is free of an allergen.⁷

Young children