Preparing for a power cut

What matters most

• 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.
• Warm clothing
  Layers, hats and gloves that are easy to find.
• Manual tin opener
  A tin opener that doesn't need electricity.
• Some cash
  Card machines and cash points may not work in a power cut.
• Plan for medication that needs a fridge Essential
  Know how you'd keep it cool during a power cut.
• Backup plan for powered equipment Essential
  A backup power source or plan for equipment that needs electricity.

What official guidance in the UK says

• Keep fridge and freezer doors shut during a power cut so they stay cold for several hours.¹
• The Priority Services Register is a free service for people with extra needs (Customer Care Registers in Northern Ireland).¹
• In a national energy shortage, UK power cuts could rotate by area; find your load block letter by postcode at powercut105.com.¹

Stay safe

Water and food for a few days

For two adults, SupKit's figures for 3 days are:

Long-life food that suits a power cut

Each of these keeps without a fridge and doesn't need the fridge once opened:

• Tinned chilli
• Tinned soup
• Baked beans
• Microwave rice pouch
• Tinned tuna
• Crackers
• Peanut butter
• Dried fruit and nuts
• Cereal bars
• Tinned fruit

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.³
• On pre-packed food in the UK, these allergens must be emphasised in the ingredients list, for example in bold.³
• 'May contain' warnings aren't a legal requirement, so a missing warning doesn't guarantee a food is free of an allergen.³

Young children

• The NHS advises not giving whole nuts to children under 5, because they can choke on them.⁴
• If allergies run in the family, the NHS suggests talking to a GP or health visitor before introducing nuts.⁴
• Babies shouldn't eat much salt, so salty tinned and packet foods aren't suitable for them.⁴