When society is under strain: a household guide to prolonged disruption

Plan for effects, not causes

The government’s National Risk Register 2025 sets out its assessment of the most serious risks facing the UK. It describes them as “reasonable worst-case scenarios” and says the assessment serves as a “cause-agnostic basis for planning for the common consequences of risks”. It also says all of the risks it covers are relatively low-likelihood events.

For a household, the common consequences are familiar: no power, no water, phones or internet down, card payments failing, shops short of some items, travel disrupted, and worry. Planning for those covers a very wide range of situations.

The basics come first

Be Ready, the government’s preparedness campaign, says being ready for 3 days helps you manage while support reaches those most in need. It suggests building up gradually and checking your kit every six months. See our emergency kit list and household plan.

The long-haul guides

These go further, for disruption that lasts longer. All are first drafts.

• Grid down: a power cut lasting a week or more
• Supply-chain shortages: food, medicine and fuel
• Water when the mains fail for weeks
• Staying warm without mains power
• Home security during disorder
• Comms when phones are down
• Cash and documents
• Caring for children, older relatives and people who need extra help
• If the UK is affected by war or a national emergency
• Cyber attacks: if banks, phones or the internet go down

Where to get reliable information

• Emergency Alerts may be sent to mobile phones if there is a danger to life nearby. When you get one, stop what you are doing and follow its instructions. A genuine alert will never ask for personal details.
• Local and national radio. Be Ready suggests a battery or wind-up FM radio and writing down the frequencies of stations you use for news.
• GOV.UK, your council and your Local Resilience Forum. Some Local Resilience Forums offer alert sign-ups.

People

Be Ready encourages talking to neighbours, swapping contact details, and agreeing in advance who will check on anyone who lives alone or needs extra support. If you cannot call them, agree that you or someone they trust will visit.

Looking after yourself

Long disruption is tiring. Be Ready points to NHS Every Mind Matters for advice on looking after your mental wellbeing. Keeping to everyday routines where you can may help. If you need urgent help for your mental health, call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option. Samaritans are available any time on 116 123. In an emergency, call 999.