YOUR TIMEFRAME. YOUR PLAN.
From an unexpected power cut to building years of practical independence, choose a level and build capability at your own pace.
There is more than one way to be prepared
Some households want enough to manage a short loss of utilities. Others are building reserves, backup systems and skills for sustained disruption or independent living. Go Prepare is for both. These levels are shopping and planning guides, not official survival standards or guarantees.
01 · Everyday Ready
Up to 72 hours. Light, essential communication, a sensible water and food buffer, warm layers, first aid and a household plan.
02 · Extended Ready
One to four weeks. Increase usable reserves and consider safe cooking, sanitation, water capacity and charging options.
03 · Resilience Ready
One to three months. Build rotating household stores and test how each important system is replenished.
04 · Long-Term Ready
Six to twelve months. Make storage, redundancy, repair, skills and ongoing maintenance part of the plan.
05 · Self-Reliant Living
One to two years and beyond. Focus on sustainable water and energy systems, food production, repairability and practical skills. A purchase alone cannot promise independence for a given period.
Planning for prolonged disruption?
Explore Long-Term Survival & Self-Reliance → If your timeframe runs into months rather than days, work through realistic water and food replenishment, repairs, family safety and daily responsibilities. This advanced guide also links to self-defence and household safety and food production and small-livestock care.
Start with safer, lawful options and what your household can genuinely maintain. Planning levels are not guarantees of survival.
Choose your next step
Not sure what to buy? Compare what you already own, supermarket goods, safe DIY improvements and specialist equipment before spending.
Build to Last — the longer-term approach →
Food and Water — storage, safety and replenishment →
Independent Power and Heat — safe capacity planning →
Skills and Maintenance — make the plan last →
Make a practical plan for your timeframe
Build My Plan is your free main questionnaire for household needs, existing equipment and next steps. The separate Preparedness Studio remains available as an optional planning resource. Longer-term planning can include one-year and two-years-plus timeframes. Such plans focus on maintainable systems, resupply and skills; they cannot calculate every future requirement or guarantee self-reliance.
Start with the basics, then expand
Official UK guidance explains that disruption may last hours, days or longer. Keep an emergency household plan, discuss it with those you live with and build supplies gradually according to your circumstances. Read the UK Government’s Prepare guidance.