Are You Prepared?

Minimum drinking water

36 litres

More comfortable provision

120 litres

If roads become inaccessible, shops close or supply chains are disrupted, access to everyday food can become difficult.

A well-planned emergency food supply should be easy to store, straightforward to prepare and capable of providing enough energy for everyone in your household.

Useful emergency food supplies include:

• Tinned meals, beans, vegetables and fish

• Ready-to-eat meals

• Energy bars, nuts and dried fruit

• Crackers and long-life bread alternatives

• Long-life milk

• Instant meals and porridge

• Freeze-dried camping meals

• Specialist food for babies, dietary requirements and pets

Choose plenty of food that can be eaten without cooking, because your normal kitchen appliances may not be available.

Freeze-dried meals can be useful because they are compact, lightweight and easy to store, although many require hot water.

Highlander tip: Use a first-in, first-out rotation system. Check use-by dates, replace supplies before they expire and choose foods your family already enjoys eating.

4. Heat and Warmth: Staying Safe When the Heating Stops

During colder months, losing central heating can quickly make a home uncomfortable and potentially dangerous, particularly for older people, young children and anyone with additional health needs.

The priority is to preserve body heat and reduce exposure to cold conditions.

Essential warmth equipment:

• Seasonally appropriate sleeping bags

• Thermal blankets and emergency bivvy bags

• Insulated sleeping mats

• Thermal base layers

• Fleece jackets and insulated clothing

• Warm socks, hats and gloves

• Additional blankets and draught protection

Sleeping bags aren't just for camping. A good-quality sleeping bag can provide an additional layer of warmth when the heating fails.

Insulated sleeping mats are also useful, helping reduce heat loss to cold floors.

Highlander tip: If your heating fails, close curtains, shut doors to unused rooms and concentrate activity in a smaller, safely ventilated living area to help retain warmth.

5. Cooking: Preparing Meals Without Electricity or Gas

Imagine preparing an evening meal only to discover that the power has gone off and your cooker no longer works.

A backup cooking arrangement can help provide hot food and drinks when normal kitchen facilities are unavailable.

Useful emergency cooking equipment:

• Portable camping stove

• Compatible fuel supplies

• Lightweight cooking pots and pans

• Metal mug or camping kettle

• Heat-resistant utensils

• Manual tin opener

• Fire-lighting equipment for appropriate outdoor use

Compact camping stoves are useful additions to emergency equipment, especially when temporary outdoor cooking facilities are available.

Choose equipment that is straightforward to operate and ensure you know how to use it safely before an emergency occurs.

Cooking safety: Most camping stoves are intended for outdoor use only. Never operate outdoor stoves or charcoal barbecues indoors or in enclosed spaces, and never use them inside tents. Store fuel according to manufacturer instructions. 

Highlander tip: Keep a reserve of food that requires no cooking at all. Your emergency plan should still work if conditions make outdoor cooking unsafe.

6. Survival Essentials: The Small Items That Make a Big Difference

Beyond food, water and shelter, a number of smaller items can prove invaluable during a domestic emergency.

A well-equipped emergency kit should include:

• Lighting: LED torches, head torches, camping lanterns and spare batteries.

• Communication: Battery-powered or wind-up radio, charged mobile power bank and emergency contact numbers.

• First aid: Dressings, bandages, antiseptic, gloves, basic first aid supplies and essential personal medication.

• Tools: Multi-tool, manual tin opener, duct tape, utility cord and work gloves.

• Hygiene: Wet wipes, hand sanitiser, toilet paper, rubbish bags and personal hygiene supplies.

• Protection: Waterproof clothing, sturdy footwear and dry bags for keeping essential items protected.

• Documentation: Copies of identification, insurance information, prescriptions, emergency contacts and a small amount of cash.

A reliable torch is particularly important during a prolonged power cut. Head torches allow you to keep both hands free while carrying equipment, preparing food or navigating safely in darkness.

A wind-up or battery-operated radio also provides a way to receive official updates when mobile networks or internet connections become unreliable.

7. Build a Family Emergency Grab Bag

While keeping emergency supplies at home is important, there may be situations where you need to leave quickly.

Flooding, fires, serious structural damage and certain security incidents can require immediate evacuation.

A dedicated emergency grab bag means your most important items are already packed and accessible.

Choose a durable, comfortable rucksack with enough space for essential equipment without making it too heavy to carry.

Suggested grab bag contents:

• Drinking water and compact ready-to-eat food

• Torch or head torch

• First aid kit and essential medication

• Waterproof jacket and warm clothing

• Emergency blanket or bivvy bag

• Mobile phone charging equipment

• Hygiene essentials

• Copies of important documents

• Emergency contact information

• Whistle and basic utility tools

Every family member's needs will be different. Consider children, older relatives, pets and anyone who depends on specialist medical equipment.

Keep your grab bag somewhere easy to reach and review its contents regularly.

In an immediate fire evacuation, leave without delaying to collect equipment. Always follow emergency services' instructions.