Your 3-day emergency plan
The government asks every household to be ready for 3 days without power, water or shops. Tell us who’s at home and we’ll make your list.
This helps you prepare. It won’t warn you about emergencies. Sign up for official flood warnings, and in an emergency call 999.
Based on the UK government’s Be Ready advice.
Things to get
- 18 litres of bottled waterThat’s 3 litres a person a day for 3 days, about 9 two-litre bottles. Keep extra for cooking and washing.
- Food for 3 days that needs no cooking or fridgeTins, dried fruit and nuts: things you normally eat.
- A tin opener that isn’t electricOpenMap extraSo tins are still useful in a power cut.
- Hand sanitiser, wet wipes and bathroom productsEnough for 3 days.
- A torch and spare batteriesSafer than candles.
- Blankets, sleeping bags or warm clothesEnough for everyone at home.
- A battery or wind-up FM radioThen write your station on it (see “Your radio stations”).
- A charged power bankCharge it again every few months.
- A first aid kit
Things to write down
- Some cash in coins and notesCard machines may not work in a power cut.
- A written list of important phone numbersPhones run flat; paper doesn’t. The printed plan has space for this.
- A written list of everyone’s medicinesOrder repeat prescriptions at least 5 working days ahead.
- Printed copies of important documents and IDsKeep them with your plan.
- Write your radio station on the radioMost people in London use BBC Radio London on 94.9 FM.
Things to do once
- Keep essential medication and medical supplies for 3 daysAsk your pharmacist if you’re not sure.
- Choose a meeting point everyone can findA public place near home.
- Agree who checks on anyone who needs extra supportSomeone who can visit in person if phones are down.
- Add an emergency contact or Medical ID to your phoneiPhone and Android both have this in settings.
- Test your smoke alarmsOnce a month.
- Do an online home fire safety checkOnline home fire safety check
- Find how to turn off your gas, electricity and water
- Check what your home insurance covers, including floodOpenMap doesn’t compare or recommend insurance.
- Think about a grab bag in case you need to leave quickly
- Swap numbers with a neighbourThe printed plan has a card to give them.
- Share your plan with everyone at home
- Check your kit every 6 monthsWhen the clocks change is an easy reminder.
Places to know
- See if you can join the Priority Services RegisterFree extra help in a power or water cut, for example with children under 5 or a medical condition.Priority Services Register
- Check your flood riskCheck flood risk on GOV.UK
- Sign up for official flood warningsFree from the Environment Agency.Get flood warnings on GOV.UK
- Know where to check weather warningsMet Office warnings
- Know where to check for power cutsCall or visit 105.Power cut 105
- Learn basic first aidSt John Ambulance first aid advice
Your radio stations
- BBC Radio 4FM, between 92 and 95 FM depending on where you are
- BBC Radio 5 Live693 or 909 AM
- In London: BBC Radio London94.9 FM
- Somewhere else? Find your BBC local station
Radio 4 long wave closed in June 2026. Use FM.
Useful numbers
- 999
- Anyone in danger
- Deaf or can’t speak?
- Register for emergencySMS by texting “register” to 999. On a mobile, call 999 and press 55 if you can’t talk.
- 0800 111 999
- Gas emergency (Northern Ireland: 0800 002 001)
- 105
- Power cut (England, Scotland, Wales); Northern Ireland: 03457 643643
- 111
- Urgent medical help
- 0345 988 1188
- Floodline
Questions
Is this the government’s checklist?
It’s based on the government’s Be Ready advice and links to it. OpenMap isn’t part of the government.
How much water do we need?
3 litres a person a day for 3 days, plus extra for cooking and washing.
Do I have to buy it all at once?
No. Pick up a thing or two with your normal shop.
Does OpenMap send emergency alerts?
No. Official alerts come from the government. Sign up for flood warnings on GOV.UK.
Do you sell the kit?
No. Buy it wherever you like; we don’t earn from the links.
Is my plan sent to OpenMap?
No. It’s saved on this device unless you choose to save it to your account.
Which radio station should I use?
BBC Radio 4 on FM works across the UK. In London, BBC Radio London is on 94.9 FM.
What if someone at home needs extra help?
See if they can join the Priority Services Register, and agree who will check on them.
Based on the UK government’s Be Ready advice, adapted by OpenMap. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. OpenMap is not affiliated with or endorsed by the UK government.