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Preparedness library

Emergency preparedness and prepper guides for every crisis.

Explore 27 practical guides covering what to stock up on, what to practise and how to prepare for power cuts, floods, shortages, evacuation, long disruption and recovery.

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Popular:Water Power cuts Floods Food supplies Mental readiness

Start

Know your risk and make a plan

Turn local risks and household needs into decisions you can use under pressure.

Understand your risk

Identify the hazards, service failures and personal circumstances most likely to affect your household.

Household plan

Agree contacts, meeting places, roles, access needs and stay-or-leave decisions before stress rises.

Essentials

Life-supporting essentials

Protect air, water, food, shelter, health, sanitation, power and communication.

Air & breathing

Prepare for smoke, dust, poor ventilation, airborne illness and instructions to shelter indoors.

Water

Store, protect and manage water for drinking, food, hygiene, health needs and animals.

Food & nutrition

Keep familiar, nutritious food that matches health, culture, storage, water and cooking realities.

Safe cooking

Match meals and cooking methods to ventilation, fuel, fire safety and available clean water.

Shelter & temperature

Prepare for heat, cold, damaged buildings, temporary shelter and instructions to stay indoors.

Power & lighting

Protect essential devices, use safer light, manage batteries and avoid generator and charging hazards.

Communication

Receive official warnings, reconnect with people and make decisions without spreading rumours.

First aid & medicine

Prepare skills, supplies, prescriptions, health information and backup plans for interrupted care.

Hygiene & toilets

Prevent illness and preserve dignity when water, toilets, drains and waste collection are disrupted.

Move safely

Evacuation, travel and practical protection

Prepare to leave, shelter, travel and protect the things that support recovery.

Evacuation & grab bags

Decide when and how to leave, where to go and what each person can realistically carry.

Vehicles & travel

Plan for stranded journeys, disrupted fuel, blocked roads, public transport failure and travel without a car.

Money & documents

Keep the records and flexible payment options needed to prove identity, access help and begin recovery.

Clothing, sleep & comfort

Use layers, rest, hygiene and familiar comfort items to protect health and endurance.

Home safety & tools

Reduce everyday hazards, secure heavy objects and keep a small set of tools people can use safely.

Security & safeguarding

Protect people, privacy and dignity without escalating fear, conflict or exclusion.

People

Inclusive household and community planning

Make plans that work for children, disabled people, carers, animals and neighbours.

Children & young people

Build safety, understanding, reunification and emotional support without creating unnecessary fear.

Disability & access

Build around each person’s access, communication, equipment, medication and support preferences.

Older people & carers

Protect health, medication, mobility, communication, memory, care routines and carer continuity.

Pets & service animals

Plan food, water, transport, identification, shelter and continuity of animal care.

Community resilience

Connect neighbours, skills, places and trusted organisations before normal services are stretched.

Mind & recovery

Mental readiness, endurance and recovery

Protect clear thinking, morale, connection and wellbeing through a long disruption.

Mental readiness & morale

Build calm decision habits, realistic routines, comfort rituals and routes to support before crisis.

Long disruption

Move from short emergency supplies to sustainable routines, maintenance, mutual aid and adaptation.

Recovery

Return safely, document loss, restore routines and recognise that practical and emotional recovery take time.

Hazards

Prepare for different emergencies

Use local risk information and follow the right instructions for the incident.

All hazard guidance

Prepare across flood, storm, fire, heat, cold, earthquake, disease, conflict and service failure without mixing incompatible advice.

Flood preparation

Make a personal flood plan, protect essential records, prepare a flood kit and leave before routes become dangerous.