Why the UK wants households to keep 72 hours of supplies
Would your household cope if the power, water or phone network went down for three days?
That is the question the UK government is asking, as it encourages families to keep enough supplies at home to last 72 hours.
The ‘Be Ready’ campaign
The advice is part of a Cabinet Office campaign called Be Ready. It asks households to take small, simple steps so they can manage on their own for a short time in an emergency.
Security minister Dan Jarvis said “those who can follow this advice should follow this advice”. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting also spoke about the plans.
The government says the advice brings the UK in line with countries such as France, Ireland and the Netherlands. A campaign on social media and radio is set to follow.
What to keep at home
The suggested list is short and practical:
- Enough food for 72 hours, ideally items that keep well and need little cooking
- Water: about 3 litres per person per day, or up to 9 litres each for three days
- Blankets and warm clothing
- Some cash, in case card machines stop working
- A first aid kit and any medicines you rely on
- A torch with spare batteries
- A wind-up or battery FM radio for news updates
Why now?
Officials say emergencies can come in many forms, from severe weather and floods to power cuts or damage to key services. Reports in the Guardian linked the advice to wider concerns about possible attacks on infrastructure.
The weather has also been a reminder. Storm Bóelo, which followed Storm Austen, brought amber weather warnings to Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England on 24 and 25 October, with gusts of up to 80mph.
As of 29 October, the Met Office has no weather warnings in force.
Simple tips to get started
You do not need to buy everything at once. Here are a few easy ways to begin:
- Add a few extra tins or packets to your weekly shop
- Keep bottled water in a cool, dark cupboard and check the dates
- Put the torch, radio and first aid kit together in one box
- Write down important phone numbers on paper, in case your phone runs flat
- Check on elderly neighbours or relatives who might need help
Being prepared is not about panic. The government has described the advice as small, simple steps that any household can take, little by little.
Peace of mind
Most of us will never need to use our emergency box.
But if a storm knocks out the power or the taps run dry for a day or two, those few simple items could make life much easier, and much safer, for you and your family.
Sources
Featured image: Stormy seas at Porthcawl, Wales (file photo). Photo: Jeremy Segrott from Cardiff, Wales, UK / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (cropped and resized). Source
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