Plan for the people and pets who rely on you.
Preparedness is different for every household. Start with everyday routines, the people who need support and the arrangements that already work well.
Begin with the person, not an assumed kit.
Talk through what an interruption would change for each person you support. Consider communication, movement, daily routines and access to information. Use a format and level of detail that works for that person.
Our bundles describe equipment selections, not a level of care or a guarantee of protection. A household may need a very specific arrangement that does not appear in a general catalogue. Keep those questions separate from choosing ordinary lighting, cables or tools.
Ask about extra support before an outage.
The government campaign points to the Priority Services Register for customers in England, Scotland and Wales, and Customer Care Registers in Northern Ireland. Check eligibility and the relevant services through the official sources.
Ask your provider what support is available in your circumstances and how to keep your details current. Registration should sit alongside an agreed household plan. Do not assume it guarantees an uninterrupted supply or that every service provider already has the information it needs.
Make equipment dependencies explicit.
If someone uses essential medical equipment, a personal alarm, telecare or another connected service, discuss outages with the responsible provider. Record the agreed backup and contact arrangements privately.
A power bank listing cannot establish medical suitability or compatibility. Keep instructions and support contacts with the plan so another agreed carer can find the right information. The first aid catalogue is shopping information, not medical or treatment advice.
Think through ordinary supplies and changes of routine.
Add the baby products, familiar food, hygiene supplies and pet needs that are relevant to your household. Read the official guidance and any professional instructions that apply to individual needs, rather than substituting a general shopping list.
For pets, include practical arrangements as well as supplies: who can help, what would need to go with the animal, and how existing care instructions would be available. A useful plan reflects your actual routine and can be explained to the person who may help.
Agree a useful role with neighbours.
A conversation can clarify who would welcome a check-in and what practical help is appropriate. Share contact details only by agreement and keep personal information private. Confirm what the arrangement does and does not depend on.
The campaign describes safe, organised ways to support a community. Work through established local groups and official requests when wider help is needed. At home, a modest plan that respects people’s choices is a useful place to begin.
Sources & editorial notes
This is Be Readyford’s independent planning and shopping guidance. Sources were checked on 12 Nov 2026; use the official publisher for current instructions. Equipment links are shopping information, not medical advice.
- Be Ready: advice for disabled persons and carers ↗
- UK Government Be Ready: household preparedness ↗
- Be Ready: play your part in your community ↗
- Be Ready: alerts and warnings ↗
Contains public-sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Government source material: © Crown copyright.
For immediate danger, call 999. Be Readyford is not an emergency alert service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the UK government.