Practical preparation starts with ordinary disruptions: a power cut, loss of water, severe weather or a short period without mobile communications. Our guides help UK households plan sensibly, build essential supplies gradually and learn useful skills without fear-based marketing.
Start with the essentials
Begin with the UK household preparedness guide, then use our 72-hour emergency kit checklist to identify what your household already owns and what may be missing.
Free family emergency checklist
Download our printable two-page checklist and household plan. Check what you already own, build supplies gradually and agree what your family will do during disruption.
Download the family emergency checklist (PDF). No email address or signup is required. Complete your household plan on paper and keep it securely; please do not send us family or medical details.
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Plan for your household
- Water and food: Set aside safe drinking water and food that does not require refrigeration or cooking.
- Light and information: Keep torches, spare batteries, a charged power bank and an FM radio.
- Health and comfort: Account for medicines, first aid, warm clothes, children, pets and other personal needs.
- Communication: Write down key telephone numbers, agree a meeting place and know how to turn off utilities safely.
The UK Government’s Be Ready checklist recommends preparing to manage three days of disruption and building supplies gradually. Follow official advice in an actual emergency.
Learn practical skills
Equipment is only one part of being prepared. At Devon and Cornwall Bushcraft we teach real outdoor skills in a supervised woodland environment, including fire lighting, shelter, campcraft and sound decision-making. These complement, rather than replace, household safety planning.
Explore survival courses in Devon, bushcraft courses or private and family experiences. Interested in a dedicated practical preparedness day? Contact us to register your interest; dates and prices have not yet been announced.
Further trusted resources
Read the official Be Ready advice and UK Prepare guidance for household planning, safety and local risk information.