Politics · United Kingdom · 1 hr ago
UK launches three-year campaign to help households prepare for emergencies
The UK government has launched a three-year Be Ready campaign to help households prepare for emergencies.
Severe weather can disrupt essentials such as power, water, phone service and the internet.
The advice is to be ready for up to three days of disruption, in line with guidance used in France, Ireland and the Netherlands.
Households are encouraged to keep some bottled water and non-perishable food and to join the Priority Services Register, which helps utility companies identify people who may need extra support.
Taking these steps could ease pressure on emergency services, allowing them to focus on people who need the most help.
The campaign was developed with local resilience groups and charities, and more than 500 organisations have signed up to share its advice.
Social media and radio advertising will roll out in the coming weeks and months, with a focus on families with young children and older people.
The UK has launched the first stage of a three-year campaign to help households prepare for emergencies.
The “Be Ready” campaign advises people to prepare for three days of disruption, including by keeping non-perishable food and bottled water at home.
The advice is intended to help households cope when severe weather disrupts services such as power, water, phones and the internet.
The government says household preparedness could reduce pressure on emergency services and help them prioritise people who need more support.
More than 500 organisations have signed up to share the campaign’s messages and materials.
- Who
- The UK government is leading the “Be Ready” campaign.
- What
- It has published updated advice encouraging households to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies.
- When
- The updated advice was published on 22 October 2026.
- Where
- Across the UK.
- Why
- To help households prepare for disruption and reduce pressure on emergency services.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The government had published resilience advice for households since this month.
The government published updated household advice as the first stage of the three-year “Be Ready” campaign.
Social media and radio advertising is due to help reach audiences including families with young children and older people.
- Campaign duration
- Three years
- Disruption preparation advice
- Prepare for three days
- Organisations signed up
- More than 500
- Priority Services Register
- Helps utility companies identify customers who may need extra support in an emergency
- European peers cited
- France, Ireland and The Netherlands
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What people are saying
Those who can follow this advice should follow this advice.
By taking simple steps to be ready for everyday emergencies like severe storms, people can reduce pressure on emergency services, helping them prioritise people who need more support in an emergency.