Emergency Preparedness in the United Kingdom
In October 2026 the UK government relaunched its household preparedness advice as "Be Ready", asking households to be prepared for three days of disruption from severe weather, power cuts or cyber attacks. Since 2023 it can also send alerts to every mobile phone in an area. This page explains the essentials for residents, students, workers and visitors.
Emergency numbers
- 999 or 112 Police, fire, ambulance and coastguard
- 111 NHS, urgent but not life-threatening health problems
- 101 Police, non-emergency
- 105 Power cut, to reach your local electricity network operator
How you will be warned
Emergency Alerts
- Emergency Alerts are sent to mobile phones on 4G and 5G networks in an area where there is a danger to life. The phone makes a loud siren-like sound and vibrates for about 10 seconds, even on silent.
- You do not sign up. The alert includes the area, what is happening and what to do.
- Stop what you are doing, read the alert and follow the instructions. If you are driving, do not read it until it is safe.
- National tests are announced in advance. The most recent was on Sunday 7 September 2025 at 15:00.
Other channels
- Flood warnings from the Environment Agency (and its equivalents in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), which you can sign up to by phone, text or email.
- Met Office weather warnings: yellow, amber and red.
- BBC radio and television.
- The UK has no general network of public warning sirens.
What the authorities ask you to have at home
The government's Be Ready advice asks households to be prepared for three days of disruption:
- Bottled water and non-perishable food for three days
- A torch and spare batteries, and a battery or wind-up radio
- A first aid kit and your regular medicines
- A power bank, some cash, and important numbers on paper
- Hygiene items such as wet wipes
Work out the amounts with our kit calculator and see the 72-hour kit on a budget.
Main risks to prepare for
Official information
- Be Ready: UK government preparedness advice
- GOV.UK: Emergency Alerts
- GOV.UK: check for flooding and sign up for warnings
- Met Office: weather warnings
See emergency preparedness in other European countries.
Sources
- GOV.UK: households encouraged to take small simple steps to stay prepared (October 2026)
- GOV.UK: national Emergency Alert test on 7 September 2025
Independent educational summary, not an official publication. Always follow instructions from UK authorities. Last reviewed: November 2026.