When people start thinking about preparing for a lockdown, the usual first instinct is to rush to the supermarket and fill a trolley. That’s how we ended up with empty shelves and fights over toilet roll in 2020, and it rarely leaves a household better prepared.
The better approach is calmer and more useful: work out what matters most, stock that first, and build from there. This guide sets out the priorities in order, so that if you only manage the first few steps, you’ve still covered the essentials.
Why the order matters
Most of us don’t have unlimited money, cupboard space or time. If you spend your first £100 on novelty survival gadgets, you may still be caught short on the things you’ll really need, like water, medicines and food your family will actually eat. Preparing in the right order means every step makes your home more resilient, even if you never finish the list.
A sensible starting target is to be able to look after your household for at least three days without going to the shops. Once that’s in place, you can extend it to one week, then two.
1. Drinking water
Water comes first because you can’t go long without it, and in some emergencies the supply can be interrupted or contaminated.
Plan for around 3 litres per person per day for drinking, with extra for cooking and basic washing. For a family of four, three days means at least 36 litres. Bottled water is the simplest option; buy it gradually, store it somewhere cool and dark, and rotate it by using older bottles first. Don’t forget pets need water too.
2. Prescription medicines and first aid
If anyone in your home relies on regular medication, this is the most important item on the list after water. Speak to your GP or pharmacist about keeping a small buffer and ordering repeat prescriptions in good time rather than at the last minute.
Alongside that, check you have a basic first aid kit and a supply of everyday remedies: paracetamol or ibuprofen, cold and flu treatments, rehydration sachets, antihistamines, plasters and a thermometer. Check expiry dates when you do.
3. Food your family will actually eat
This is where many people go wrong. There’s no point buying twenty tins of something nobody likes. Stock up on the food you already eat, just more of it, and focus on items with a long shelf life that need little or no cooking:
- Tins: beans, soup, tuna, chicken, vegetables, fruit, tomatoes
- Dry goods: pasta, rice, oats, noodles, lentils, cereal
- Long-life basics: UHT milk, peanut butter, crackers, crispbreads, jars of sauce
- Energy and comfort: nuts, dried fruit, cereal bars, biscuits, tea and coffee
A good rule is to buy two or three extra items each time you shop. Within a month you’ll have a comfortable buffer without ever doing a panic shop. And make sure you have a manual tin opener; it’s one of the most overlooked items in any preparedness list.
4. Hygiene and cleaning supplies
When illness is the reason for a lockdown, hygiene becomes part of protecting your family. Prioritise soap, hand sanitiser, toilet roll, sanitary products, nappies and wipes if you need them, bin bags, washing-up liquid, laundry detergent and a household disinfectant.
You don’t need a mountain of toilet roll. A couple of weeks’ supply for your household is plenty.
5. Light, power and heat
Power cuts can happen at any time, and they’re more stressful when you’re already stuck at home. Put together:
- A good torch for each adult, plus spare batteries
- A power bank to keep phones charged
- A battery or wind-up radio for news if the internet goes down
- Warm blankets and layers for colder months
A word from the fire service: as a Watch Commander with over 26 years’ experience, I’d urge you to use battery LED lights rather than candles wherever possible. Candles cause avoidable house fires every year, especially when people are tired, stressed or distracted. Never use a camping stove, barbecue or gas heater indoors, as they can produce deadly carbon monoxide. And make sure your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarm are tested and working before you need them.
6. Pets, babies and anyone with extra needs
Think through everyone in your household. Pets need food, litter and any medication. Babies need formula, nappies and wipes. Older relatives or anyone with a disability may need specific equipment, dietary items or spare batteries for hearing aids or mobility aids. These are the things that are hardest to find in a hurry, so get them in early.
7. Important information and a little cash
Keep a written list of key phone numbers (GP, pharmacy, family, neighbours, energy supplier), because not everyone remembers numbers without their phone. Store copies of important documents somewhere safe, and keep a small amount of cash at home in case card machines go down.
8. Things to look after your mind
A lockdown isn’t just a practical challenge; it’s a mental one too. Once the essentials are sorted, add a few things that keep spirits up: books, puzzles, board games, craft supplies and activities for children. They cost little but make a real difference to how a household copes with long days at home.
What not to do
- Don’t panic buy. It pushes up prices, empties shelves for vulnerable people and often leaves you with food you throw away.
- Don’t buy all at once. Build your supplies gradually alongside your normal shopping.
- Don’t forget to rotate. Use the oldest items first and replace them, so your stock stays fresh.
- Don’t store it and forget it. Check your supplies every few months.
A calm, simple starting point
If this feels like a lot, start small. This week, buy some bottled water, check your medicines, and pick up a few extra tins. Next week, add hygiene items and a torch. In a month, you’ll have a household that’s genuinely better prepared, without the stress, the expense or the empty shelves.
For a fuller, step-by-step guide to preparing your home, your family and your mind, my book Preparing for Lockdown: A Calm, Practical Guide to Protecting Your Home, Your Family and Your Mind is available now on Amazon.