Emergency preparedness: How to prepare your household for storms, power cuts and other emergencies

A severe storm is approaching. Heavy rain and strong winds are causing disruption across the country. Then the power goes out.

Your lights stop working. Your Wi-Fi disappears. Mobile coverage becomes unreliable. Your phone battery is at 38%. Local shops may be closed, roads could be difficult to travel on and you don't know exactly when normal services will return.

Would your household be prepared?

Emergency preparedness isn't about expecting the worst or filling your home with survival equipment. It's about asking a few practical questions before an emergency happens.

How would you light your home during a power cut? How would you receive important information without television or internet access? How could family members communicate if mobile networks became unavailable? Do you have food, drinking water, medication and other essentials available?

And importantly: who are you preparing for?

A household with young children has different needs from someone living alone. Older or less mobile family members may need additional support. And anyone with pets will have another set of essentials to consider.

Whether the disruption is caused by a winter storm, flooding, a summer thunderstorm, a power cut or another unexpected event, a little preparation can make a significant difference.

This guide will help you think through the essentials and build an emergency plan and emergency kit that fit your own household.

What does emergency preparedness actually mean?

Emergency preparedness simply means thinking ahead about what you would need if the services you normally rely on were temporarily disrupted.

Electricity is an obvious example, but modern households depend on much more than the power coming from a wall socket.

We use electricity to provide lighting, charge phones and other devices, refrigerate food and sometimes heat our homes or prepare meals. Our internet connection requires power too, and mobile communications may also be affected during a wider disruption.

At the same time, severe weather may make travelling difficult and local shops and services may close.

Being prepared therefore involves several different areas:

• Food and drinking water
• Medication and first aid supplies
• Lighting
• Warmth
• Reliable information
• Communication
• Batteries and alternative power
• Personal hygiene
• Essential documents and contact information
• The specific needs of children, elderly or less mobile people and pets
• Knowing what you would take if you had to leave home

You don't have to solve everything in one weekend.

Start with the most important needs in your own household and gradually build from there. [Link to a complete checklist - complete household emergency kit checklist →]

Start with your household: Who are you preparing for?

There isn't one emergency kit that is perfect for everybody.

Before buying equipment or making a checklist, look at the people — and animals — in your home.

Babies and young children

Families with babies and young children may need additional drinking water, baby food or formula, nappies, wipes, medication and warm clothing.

There is also an emotional side to preparedness. A dark house during a storm can be frightening for a child. Having reliable lighting, familiar comfort items and adults who know what to do can make an unusual situation considerably less stressful.

Older children and teenagers

Older children can become part of your household emergency plan. Make sure they know where torches and other emergency supplies are stored. Depending on their age, they can have their own torch or head torch and understand what to do if the power fails.

It is also worth agreeing in advance how family members will contact or find each other if they are away from home when normal communications are disrupted.

Elderly or less mobile household members

Consider whether anyone needs help moving around a dark home or leaving the property. Keep essential medication and mobility aids accessible and think about whether any important equipment depends on electricity.

Your emergency plan should reflect these individual requirements rather than relying on a generic checklist.

Medication and medical needs

If someone in the household relies on regular medication or medical equipment, this deserves additional planning.

Keep the relevant information and important contact details accessible, and follow appropriate professional guidance regarding medication storage and electrically powered medical equipment.

Don't forget your pets

Pets need emergency supplies too. Think about food, drinking water, medication, leads, carriers, identification and anything else you would need if you had to care for your pet without normal services — or leave your home at short notice.

Water and food: Prepare for the first few days

During a serious disruption, you may not be able to visit the supermarket whenever you want.

A household emergency kit should therefore include drinking water and food that can be stored and used easily.

Think practically

What can you eat if your normal cooking facilities aren't available? Do you have food that doesn't depend on refrigeration? Is there anyone with allergies or specific dietary requirements?

Families may also need baby food or formula, while pet owners need a supply of suitable pet food. A manual can opener is another simple item that is easily forgotten until you actually need one. Rather than buying unusual “survival food” that nobody normally eats, consider keeping sensible supplies that fit your household and rotating them as part of your normal food stock.

Emergency lighting during a power cut

One of the first things you notice during a power cut — especially at night — is how quickly familiar surroundings become difficult to navigate.

Reliable emergency lighting should therefore be high on your preparedness list. And ideally, don't depend on a single light source.

An emergency radio with a built-in torch

Many emergency radios combine several useful functions in one device, including a built-in torch. This can provide an immediately accessible light source while the same device is also available for receiving radio broadcasts.

Depending on the model, emergency radios may offer combinations of battery power, solar charging, hand-crank or wind-up power, USB connectivity and other useful features.

Keep a separate torch available

A dedicated torch is useful even if your emergency radio already has one built in.

Why? Because you may want to leave the radio in one room while someone needs light elsewhere. A separate torch also means you don't need to use your emergency radio as your main source of lighting.

GP torches can therefore form part of a wider household emergency lighting setup.

A head torch keeps both hands free

A head torch has one particularly useful advantage: your hands remain free. That can be valuable when you're searching through cupboards, carrying equipment, helping a child, caring for a pet, performing basic first aid or dealing with something around the home in darkness.

For that reason, a head torch can complement rather than replace a normal handheld torch.

Don't rely on your phone as your only torch

Your mobile phone may have a perfectly good torch, but during a prolonged power cut its battery could become an important resource. If your phone is needed for calls, messages, alerts or information, using its battery unnecessarily for lighting may not be the best choice.

A dedicated torch or head torch gives you another option.

How do you stay informed without power, Wi-Fi or television?

Information becomes particularly important during severe weather and other emergencies.

Is the storm getting worse? Are there flood warnings? Are roads affected? How long could disruption continue? What are the authorities advising people to do?

Normally, most of us reach for a smartphone. But smartphones depend on several things: battery power, communications infrastructure and, for many services, an internet connection. That's why an alternative way of receiving information can be a valuable part of an emergency kit.

Battery-powered emergency radios

A battery-powered radio can continue to receive available broadcasts without relying on your household electricity supply.

Keep appropriate spare batteries with your emergency equipment and check them periodically.

Wind-up and hand-crank emergency radios

A wind-up or hand-crank radio provides another option when normal electricity isn't available.

Instead of relying entirely on stored battery power, some models allow you to generate power manually using a crank. This can be particularly useful when a power cut lasts longer than expected.

Solar-powered emergency radios

Some emergency radios also incorporate a solar panel, adding another possible source of energy.

The exact charging capabilities vary considerably between products, so always check the specifications of the particular radio rather than assuming every solar-equipped model performs in the same way.

Useful additional features

Depending on the model, an emergency radio may also include features such as:

• A built-in torch
• USB connectivity
• Charging functions
• Battery operation
• Solar charging
• Hand-crank charging
• AM/FM radio reception

A model such as the Midland ER300 Pro, for example, combines several functions intended to make the radio useful when conventional power isn't readily available.

The important question isn't simply, “Which radio has the most features?”

Ask instead:

Which functions would be useful in my household if the power went out?

• Explore the Midland ER300 Pro →
• Browse all emergency radios →
• Read more: Emergency radios explained — how to stay informed during a power cut →

How do you communicate if mobile networks go down?

Receiving information and communicating with other people are two different requirements. An emergency broadcast radio can help you receive information, but it isn't automatically a way to speak to another person. That's where two-way radios may have a role.

PMR446 two-way radios

PMR446 radios allow compatible users to transmit and receive directly by radio within the equipment's practical capabilities and applicable regulations.

They don't depend on your home Wi-Fi connection or a mobile phone subscription.

That can make suitable two-way radios useful for communication between family members or groups in situations where normal mobile communication is unavailable or unreliable. Depending on the intended use, models such as the Motorola T82 Extreme, Midland G7 and Midland G18 may be worth considering.

Range should always be treated realistically. Buildings, terrain, vegetation and other environmental conditions can substantially affect radio performance, so theoretical maximum-range figures shouldn't be treated as a guarantee of real-world communication distance.

Explore PMR446 two-way radios →

What about 27 MHz?

27 MHz radio equipment can provide another form of radio communication, but suitability, permitted use and technical requirements can differ depending on equipment and country.

Always choose equipment that is appropriate and legal for the country and application in which it will be used.

Make a family communication plan

Technology is only one part of emergency communication.

Ask your family some basic questions in advance.

1. What happens if the children are at school when a major disruption occurs?
2. What if one adult is at work?
3. Where would you meet if everyone couldn't immediately return home?
4. Who is the person everybody should try to contact?
5. Where are important phone numbers stored if you can't access them through your normal apps?

A simple plan can be just as important as the equipment itself.

Read more: No power, no Wi-Fi, no mobile signal — how can you communicate during an emergency?

Emergency radio, two-way radio or handheld scanner: What's the difference?

These products are sometimes grouped together because they all involve radio communication, but they perform different functions. An emergency radio is primarily intended to receive available radio broadcasts and information.

A two-way radio can both transmit and receive, allowing compatible users to communicate directly within the capabilities and permitted use of the equipment.

A handheld radio scanner is primarily a receiver. It can monitor compatible radio transmissions and frequencies, but it should not be confused with a two-way radio that allows the user to transmit.

Which transmissions may legally be received or monitored can vary between countries. Always check the applicable local regulations and use radio equipment responsibly.

Backup power: Batteries, power banks, solar and hand-crank charging

During a longer power cut, energy becomes a resource that needs to be managed. A fully charged smartphone isn't particularly useful if it is flat by the time you actually need it.

The same principle applies to torches, radios and other battery-powered equipment.

This is why redundancy can be useful in emergency preparedness: don't unnecessarily depend on one device, one battery or one method of charging.

Depending on your equipment, options may include:

• Spare batteries
• Rechargeable batteries and devices
• Portable power banks
• USB charging
• Solar charging
• Hand-crank or wind-up power

For example, an emergency radio capable of operating from batteries as well as alternative charging methods provides different options from a device that relies solely on mains electricity.

But always check the manufacturer's specifications. A USB port, solar panel or hand crank doesn't automatically mean a device can quickly or fully recharge every type of smartphone or other equipment.

Think of backup power as a system rather than one magic solution.

Visibility and signalling during an emergency

Emergency preparedness isn't only about what you can see. Sometimes it can also be important that other people can see you.

High-visibility equipment or signalling aids may be useful in particular circumstances, especially outdoors or where a location needs to be made more noticeable.

Products such as Firestik safety flags in highly visible colours and different shapes may have practical visibility applications when appropriately mounted.

However, don't assume that a particular flag colour or shape constitutes an officially recognised distress signal. Rules and conventions can vary by country and situation.

Treat visibility equipment as one possible part of a wider preparedness plan rather than a substitute for recognised emergency communication or official instructions.

Explore safety and visibility products →

What should be in a household emergency kit?

Once you look at emergency preparedness as a complete system, the purpose of a household emergency kit becomes clearer.

Your exact kit should reflect your household, but you may want to consider:

• Drinking water
• Suitable non-perishable food
• Essential medication
• First aid supplies
• A torch
• A head torch
• An emergency radio
• Spare batteries
• A charged power bank
• Appropriate charging cables
• Suitable two-way radios where required
• Warm clothing and blankets
• Personal hygiene products
• Essential contact details
• Copies of important information or documents
• Baby supplies
• Pet food and pet supplies
• Any other items specific to your household

Store your emergency supplies somewhere accessible and make sure other household members know where they are.

And don't simply pack everything away and forget about it. Check batteries, food, water, medication and other date-sensitive supplies periodically.

Starting with a prepared emergency backpack

Some people prefer to build an emergency kit completely from scratch. Others may find it easier to start with a pre-packed emergency backpack and then personalise it.

The Midland C1726 emergency backpack can provide a starting point with useful equipment already grouped together.

The important word is starting

No pre-packed bag can know whether your household includes a baby, three children, an elderly relative, someone requiring medication or two dogs.

Always add the personal essentials your household would actually need.

Explore the Midland C1726 emergency backpack →

Read our complete guide: What should be in an emergency kit? A practical household checklist →

Emergency kit or grab bag: What's the difference?

These terms are related, but they don't necessarily describe exactly the same thing. A household emergency kit is primarily intended to provide useful supplies when you remain at home during a disruption. A grab bag contains important items that can be picked up quickly if you need to leave your home.

There will naturally be some overlap. A torch, power bank, radio, medication, water, essential contact information and basic first aid supplies may be useful in both.

But a household kit can be larger and contain supplies designed to support several people at home, whereas a grab bag needs to remain practical to carry. For some households, having both makes sense.

Storm preparedness: Don't wait until the weather arrives

Severe weather is one of the situations in which preparation can make an immediate difference.

Strong winds, heavy rain, thunderstorms, winter storms and flooding can all cause secondary problems such as power cuts, transport disruption and temporary closure of local services.

When severe weather is forecast, check official weather warnings and local guidance.

At home, consider whether outdoor objects need to be secured, whether devices and power banks are charged and whether torches, radios and emergency supplies are easily accessible.

Don't wait until the lights go out to start looking for batteries.

Preparing for flooding

Flooding requires some additional considerations because remaining at home may not always be the safest option.

Follow official local warnings and instructions and never take unnecessary risks around floodwater.

If flooding is a realistic risk in your area, consider where important equipment, documents and emergency supplies are stored. Keeping essential items accessible and having a grab bag ready can save valuable time if you are advised to leave.

Your plan should also account for children, less mobile household members and pets.

Read more: Flood preparedness — a practical household emergency checklist →

What about cyberattacks and large-scale network outages?

Not every disruption begins with bad weather.

Digital services and communications infrastructure can also experience outages for many reasons.

A cyberattack doesn't automatically mean the electricity supply or mobile network will fail, and it is important not to present worst-case scenarios as inevitable.

But many of the basic principles of emergency preparedness remain useful whenever normal digital services become unavailable.

Keep essential telephone numbers somewhere other than only in your smartphone. Consider alternative ways to receive information. Keep useful devices charged. Have physical lighting available. And discuss how your household would communicate or meet if the usual digital channels temporarily stopped working.

Preparedness is often less about predicting why something will fail and more about knowing what you will do if a service you rely on becomes unavailable.

Read more: How to prepare for a prolonged communications or network outage →

Could your household manage the first three days?

You don't need to prepare for every imaginable disaster.

A much more useful starting point is to look at your own home and ask some simple questions.

• If the power went out tonight, would you have enough light?
• Could you find your torch in the dark — and does it have working batteries?
• Could you receive important information without Wi-Fi or television?
• Do you have a battery-powered or wind-up radio available?
• Could your family communicate if mobile coverage became unreliable?
• Have you discussed what everybody should do?
• Do you have drinking water and suitable food available?
• And could you use that food if your normal cooking equipment wasn't working?
• Could you keep essential devices powered?
• Do you have spare batteries, a charged power bank or another suitable backup?
• What would your children need?
• What would an elderly or less mobile person need?
• What medication or medical supplies are essential?
• What would your pets need?

And finally: 

• If you had to leave your home at short notice, what would you take with you

If some of those questions are difficult to answer, that's useful information in itself. You now know where to start.

Build your household emergency kit step by step

Emergency preparedness doesn't need to begin with fear, and it doesn't require buying everything at once.

Start with your household.

Make sure you have the essentials. Add reliable lighting. Think about how you would receive information and communicate. Consider backup power. Prepare for the needs of children, elderly or less mobile family members and pets.

Then review your preparations occasionally as your household changes.

A few carefully chosen items — stored somewhere accessible and understood by everyone in the household — can be far more useful than a cupboard 

Explore our emergency preparedness equipment:

• Emergency radios →
• Midland ER300 Pro →
• Midland C1726 emergency backpack →
• GP torches →
• GP head torches →
• PMR446 two-way radios →
• Handheld scanners →
• Safety and visibility equipment →

Preparation cannot prevent a storm, power cut or other emergency. But it can help you face disruption with something extremely valuable: Emergency preparedness with a good plan.