Water & food
Keep accessible drinking water and shelf-stable food that your household will actually eat. Include a manual tin opener where needed. Check use-by dates and dietary requirements.
Preparedness, not panic: Emergency planning is sensible in any season. Government preparedness advice is not evidence that war or a nationwide power cut is imminent. Buy what you actually need, within your budget.
Your practical 72-hour household checklist
Start with items you already own. Tailor your plan to household size, medical needs, pets and local risks. Follow the UK government's Prepare guidance for official advice.
Lighting & information
Keep torches, spare batteries and a battery-powered or wind-up radio. Know where essential supplies are stored and how to find official updates.
Communication & charging
Charge phones and power banks, keep important contact numbers accessible and consider how you will contact relatives if mobile or internet service is disrupted.
Health, warmth & safety
Plan for prescribed medicines, first aid, warm clothing, blankets and the needs of vulnerable people. Never use outdoor barbecues, camping stoves or generators indoors because of carbon monoxide risk.
What can a portable power station actually run?
Portable battery power can help with phones, laptops, some lights and selected appliances, but it is not the same as a whole-home generator. Compare two separate numbers: capacity in watt-hours (Wh) and maximum output in watts (W).
Simple runtime estimate: usable battery energy (Wh) ÷ appliance draw (W) = approximate hours. For example, a nominal 1,024Wh battery powering a constant 100W load might provide roughly 8–9 hours after allowing for conversion losses. Actual runtime varies by device, inverter efficiency, battery state and temperature.
Small essentials
Phones, USB lamps, radios and laptops generally need much less energy than heating or cooking. Check whether a smaller, cheaper power bank meets your actual requirements.
High-power appliances
Kettles, electric heaters, ovens and microwaves can draw substantial power and drain a battery quickly. Verify starting surge, continuous output and manufacturer guidance before purchase.
Solar charging
Portable solar panels can extend use, but UK winter sunlight is variable and often limited. Never assume the advertised panel wattage will be delivered all day.
Essential medical equipment
Do not rely on a general consumer power station as the sole backup for life-critical equipment. Agree a suitable outage plan with the equipment supplier and clinical team.
Explore a portable power option
Our existing guide explains portable power specifications and links to a featured EcoFlow DELTA 3 Classic listing through eBay. The model may suit some needs, but it is not necessarily right for every home. Compare your appliance requirements first.
Read the portable power guideAffiliate disclosure: Some pages on this website contain affiliate links. If you buy through them, Wainwright Solution Providers may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. We do not claim to have independently tested equipment unless explicitly stated. Retailers handle purchases, shipping and returns.
Useful official sources
- UK Government — Prepare
- Met Office — UK weather warnings
- National Grid Electricity Distribution — power cuts (for its service area; use your own network operator elsewhere)
This guide is general information, not an emergency alert or a guarantee of equipment performance. Last updated November 2026.