UK Launches ‘Be Ready’ Campaign, Urges People to Prepare for Emergencies

The UK government has launched its ‘Be Ready’ campaign to encourage households to prepare for emergencies caused by severe weather, wildfires, cyberattacks and disruptions to essential services. The initiative urges people to keep enough basic supplies at home to manage for at least three days if water, electricity, internet connectivity or digital payment systems become unavailable. The government has published an emergency preparedness checklist on its official website, highlighting simple steps households can take to improve their readiness.

The recommended supplies include drinking water, non-perishable food, a battery-powered or wind-up radio, a torch, spare batteries, blankets, a charged power bank, essential medicines and some cash for situations when electronic payments are unavailable. The government advises people to build their emergency supplies gradually during their regular shopping trips rather than buying everything at once or panic-buying. The campaign also encourages households to plan for their individual needs and check supplies regularly. The initiative aims to help people cope with temporary disruptions while allowing emergency services to prioritise those who need urgent assistance.