On 22 October 2026, the UK Government announced its new Be Ready campaign, encouraging households to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies that could disrupt essential services.
The guidance focuses on being able to manage three days of disruption, including situations such as:
The Government's message is not that a major emergency is imminent, but that basic preparations can help households manage unexpected situations more comfortably and safely.
Read the UK Government's Be Ready guidance for further information.
The UK government has advised households to be prepared to cope independently for up to three days in the event of a major disruption to essential services, such as electricity, water, transport and communications. Potential causes include severe weather, cyberattacks and other emergencies. Keeping essential supplies at home can help households manage during these disruptions until services are restored and emergency assistance reaches those who need it.
Being prepared for a power cut or unexpected emergency is something every UK household can benefit from. Whether it's a temporary electricity outage, severe weather or disruption to essential services, having the right emergency preparedness supplies at home can make a significant difference.
From rechargeable torches and portable chargers to larger backup power solutions capable of running selected household appliances, there are practical ways to prepare for unexpected disruption.
Here at Eco Wizard, we offer a range of emergency preparedness supplies and backup power solutions to help you stay connected, keep essential devices running and prepare your household for power cuts.
Putting together an emergency kit is one of the simplest ways to prepare for unexpected disruption. You do not need expensive survival equipment or specialist prepper supplies to get started.
The Government recommends keeping enough essential supplies to help your household manage three days of disruption.
Many households will already have several of these items. Start by checking what you own and identifying any gaps.
For additional protection against electricity outages, backup power products can help keep essential devices operating when mains power is unavailable.power is unavailable.
During a power cut, everyday tasks such as charging your phone, using lights or operating electrical appliances can become difficult.
Eco Wizard offers a range of practical backup power products to help you prepare.
Reliable lighting is one of the most important power cut essentials.
The POWERplus Barracuda Waterproof Wind-Up and Solar LED Flash Light combines wind-up operation with solar charging, providing alternative ways to generate light when mains electricity is unavailable.
POWERplus Barracuda Waterproof Wind-Up and Solar LED Flash Light
Another option is the MaxEco Power USB-Rechargeable Portable Outdoor LED Lantern & Powerbank, which combines portable lighting with power bank functionality.
Benefits of emergency lighting include:
Keep at least one torch somewhere easily accessible and regularly check its battery or charging condition.
Keeping your smartphone charged during an emergency can be important for communication, accessing information and contacting emergency services where mobile networks remain operational.
Portable power banks provide stored battery energy for charging compatible devices without mains electricity.
The Anker SOLIX PS30 Foldable USB Solar Charger Panel (30W) offers an alternative way to charge suitable USB devices using sunlight.
Its portable, foldable design makes it useful for emergency preparedness kits, camping and outdoor activities.
Solar charging depends on available sunlight, weather and device compatibility, so it is best used alongside a charged battery rather than relied upon as your only emergency power source.
For households requiring more than basic phone charging, a portable power station can provide temporary electricity for a wider selection of devices.
Unlike smaller USB power banks, portable power stations generally feature larger rechargeable batteries and multiple connections, including AC sockets, USB ports and DC outputs.
Depending on the model, they can be used for:
We stock a range of portable power stations from brands including EcoFlow, Bluetti and Anker.
The Bluetti AC70P Portable Power Station offers an 864Wh battery capacity and 1,000W rated output, making it suitable for powering a selection of compatible devices.
For larger power requirements, the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus Portable Power Station provides 1,024Wh of battery storage and 1,800W rated AC output.
Choosing the right model depends on your devices' power requirements and how long you want to operate them.
Portable power stations generally supply electricity directly to connected devices rather than powering an entire home's electrical system.
A compatible portable solar panel can help recharge a power station during a prolonged power cut, reducing reliance on mains electricity when sufficient sunlight is available.
The Anker SOLIX PS200 Bifacial Portable Solar Panel (200W) is one option for generating solar electricity for compatible charging equipment.
Portable solar panels can be useful for:
Always check connector, voltage and solar input compatibility before purchasing. Actual charging performance depends on sunlight and environmental conditions.
The best emergency power solution depends on the devices you want to operate and how long you need them to run.
When comparing portable power stations, two specifications are particularly important.
Measured in watt-hours (Wh), battery capacity indicates how much electrical energy a power station can store.
For example, a 1,000Wh battery could theoretically power a 100W appliance for 10 hours. Actual runtime will be lower due to conversion losses and the power station's own electricity consumption.
Measured in watts (W), power output indicates how much electricity a power station can supply at once.
A power station rated at 1,000W continuous output cannot necessarily operate a 1,500W appliance, even if its battery contains sufficient stored energy.
Some devices also require additional power when starting.
Product Type Best Suited For Rechargeable or wind-up torch Emergency household lighting Portable USB power bank Charging smartphones and small devices Portable solar charger Charging compatible USB devices using sunlight Compact portable power station Lighting, laptops and selected small appliances Higher-capacity portable power station Multiple essential devices or longer operating periods Portable solar panel Recharging compatible power stations using sunlight
For more information on battery capacity, power output and suitable appliances, read our Complete Guide To Portable Power Stations.
Some portable power stations can operate fridges and freezers during a power cut, provided they have sufficient continuous output and surge capacity for the appliance.
Battery capacity determines how long the fridge can run before the power station needs recharging.
For example, a fridge averaging 50W of electricity consumption would theoretically use 600Wh over 12 hours. Actual energy consumption varies depending on the appliance, its operating conditions and compressor cycling.
Always check your fridge's electrical requirements and the power station's specifications before purchasing.
Our What Size Portable Power Station Do I Need? guide explains how to calculate your backup power requirements.
For households considering a more permanent solution, some home battery storage systems can be configured to supply electricity during power cuts.
These systems store electricity generated by solar panels or drawn from the grid, which can then be used when required.
However, not every home battery system supports backup operation.
Standard grid-connected solar and battery systems generally disconnect during outages unless they include suitable backup functionality and electrical arrangements.
A properly configured backup installation may require:
Explore our range of home battery storage solutions for more information.
Alongside purchasing emergency supplies, a few straightforward preparations can make your household better equipped for unexpected outages.
If anyone in your household depends on electrically powered medical equipment, seek specific professional advice about appropriate backup arrangements.
Never use outdoor generators, camping stoves or fuel-burning cooking equipment indoors due to fire and carbon monoxide risks.
Essential supplies include drinking water, non-perishable food, torches, spare batteries, a charged power bank, a wind-up or battery-powered radio, first aid supplies and warm clothing.
A portable power station can provide additional backup electricity for compatible devices.
The UK Government recommends preparing to manage three days of disruption. This provides a practical starting point for building an emergency kit.
For basic smartphone charging, a portable power bank may be sufficient. To power lighting, laptops or selected appliances, a portable power station with suitable battery capacity and output is generally more appropriate.
Portable solar panels can generate electricity when sufficient sunlight is available and connected to compatible equipment.
Standard grid-connected rooftop solar systems generally shut down during electricity outages unless designed with suitable backup functionality.
A portable power station can provide a convenient source of stored electricity during power cuts. Many models are also suitable for camping, outdoor activities and other situations where mains electricity is unavailable.
Emergency preparedness does not need to be complicated or expensive. As the UK Government's Be Ready campaign highlights, small, practical preparations can help households manage unexpected disruption.
Start with essentials such as food, water, emergency lighting and communication equipment. Then consider whether additional backup power could help keep important devices running during an electricity outage.
From rechargeable torches and portable solar chargers, to higher-capacity power stations, Eco Wizard offers a selection of practical products to support your preparations.
Explore our full range of Emergency Preparedness Supplies & Backup Power Solutions and find the right products to help keep your household prepared.
