Households across Essex are being urged to stock up in preparation for emergencies and potential cyber attacks.
The advice comes from a new campaign urging people to keep enough supplies to last three days.
The supplies are intended to help people cope with severe weather, fires, floods and power cuts.
Be Ready Campaign
The "Be Ready" campaign stresses the importance of having essential resources if vital services like electricity, water, phone networks, or the internet are temporarily unavailable.
Households are encouraged to have enough supplies to manage for about three days, allowing emergency responders to prioritise those most in need.
However, residents are advised not to rush out to buy an entire emergency kit at once.
Instead, they should check what is already available at home and gradually pick up missing items during regular shopping trips.
The Government advises checking supplies every six months, including their expiry dates.
Emergency Supplies Checklist
The official checklist recommends having:
- bottled water
- non-perishable food
- a torch and spare batteries
- blankets
- sleeping bags
- warm clothing
- a battery-powered or wind-up FM radio
- a charged power bank
- a first-aid kit
- essential medication
- cash
- hygiene products
- important phone numbers and medical information
- baby formula, nappies, wipes
- pet food
The Government particularly recommends ready-to-feed baby formula because families may not be able to boil water safely during an emergency.
Read more
Campaign Aims
Announced in October, the advice is the first stage of a three-year campaign to make the country better prepared for emergencies.
It follows disruption caused by severe weather and wildfires.
The campaign brings the UK into line with France, Ireland and the Netherlands, where people already receive similar advice to prepare for three days of disruption.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis said household preparations could ease pressure on emergency services and help responders focus on those most in need.
The Government says families do not need to complete their preparations immediately.
Instead, households can build up supplies over time, picking up an extra item or two when they are able to.
Share