BLACKOUTDAY

Ready for the day the world stops.

Build your plan

BE READY · UK EDITION

Your blackout essentials.

Start with what you have. Fill the gaps.

Build your plan ↗
THE EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS

Water & food

Begin with drinking water and familiar food you can eat without cooking. Use the calculator to plan your household’s allowance.

Choose food you can eat coldHeinz Beanz · 6 × 415 g at Amazon UKCheck current price on AmazonBuy
Food, water & manual tools

Why this pick A familiar cupboard staple. This is one food example, not a complete household menu.

The food choices now include crackers, beans, tuna, peanut butter, raisins and fruit pots. They are an editable shopping example, not a complete nutrition plan. Build a varied supply around your usual meals and dietary needs, check allergens and follow storage instructions after opening.

Choose either water case; both contain six 2-litre bottles. Compare their delivery dates; some cases have long dispatch estimates. The planner shows how many whole cases cover your remaining drinking-water allowance. Keep a manual tin opener with your supplies.

WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT

Light & warmth

Choose a practical torch, compatible spare batteries and warm layers you already own. Check the light before storing it.

Battery lighting · keep spare cellsVARTA F20 Pro · 2 AA batteries at Amazon UKCheck current price on AmazonBuy
Battery lights & warm layers

Why this pick A replaceable-cell torch with two light settings. Uses the same AA size as our basic radio.

The VARTA F20 Pro torch takes two AA cells; the L10 lantern takes three AA cells. The torch listing includes batteries, while the lantern needs its own. Keep matching spares and test both before storing them.

Use blankets and warm layers you already own. The suggested Silentnight blanket is a normal fleece blanket, not an electric heated throw.

KEEP THE BASICS WORKING

Power & connection

A charged power bank and an FM radio belong on the checklist. Check connector compatibility and how the radio is powered.

Power banks need charging in advanceAnker Nano · 10,000 mAh at Amazon UKCheck current price on AmazonBuy
Battery & wind-up radio options

Why this pick Stored phone power with a USB-C cable plus USB-C and USB-A ports. Check your device; Lightning phones need a suitable separate cable.

The Panasonic RF-P50D is a simple AM/FM radio powered by two AA batteries, which are not included. It does not need Wi-Fi. Write down your local FM station frequencies.

The optional Lenco MCR-112BK receives FM and can charge by USB-C, hand crank or solar. It also accepts three AAA batteries, not AA. Treat its crank and small panel as backup for listening, not the main plan for charging a phone.

Charge the Anker Nano before disruption. Its built-in cable is USB-C; check your phone connection and keep a suitable separate cable if needed. A power bank stores a finite supply of energy.

MAKE THE PLAN FIT YOU

Your personal needs

Check your first-aid supplies and everyday care needs. Add separate reminders for babies and pets in your household plan.

First aid & care without mains powerSt John Ambulance · Universal kit at Amazon UKCheck current price on AmazonBuy
First aid, hygiene & paper copies

Why this pick Basic first-aid supplies in a portable pouch. Check the listed contents and expiry dates; personal medication is separate.

The St John Ambulance kit is a starting point for basic first-aid supplies. Check its contents and expiry dates, and arrange personal medication separately.

Keep your usual hygiene essentials, baby feeding supplies and pet supplies in mind. The wipes are one optional example; they do not replace washing or a household-specific care plan. Keep important contact numbers on paper.

3 days is a starting point. UK guidance ↗

Specific product links · no affiliate tracking. Reference prices are per listed item or pack, manually checked, not live, and exclude delivery. Confirm the final price, seller and pack on Amazon.

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How we chose these essentials

We favour simple equipment that works without a mains connection during disruption: replaceable batteries, manual tools and warm layers, with rechargeable items charged beforehand. We drew on The Prepared’s practical kit guidance and cross-checked the essentials against UK emergency advice. Named products and pack sizes were checked on 26 October 2026 using manufacturer information and Amazon listings. These are starting recommendations, not hands-on test results. Sellers, prices and availability can change.