🛡️ Preparedness

Preparedness Without the Rambo Vibe

Normally referred to as “prepping”, I’ve decided to steer away from that phrase. It tends to bring to mind someone dressed in camo gear with knives hanging on the wall — think Rambo! That’s not what this section is about. My approach to preparedness is much more down-to-earth (and realistic).

Preparedness means having food in the cupboard during those two days of heavy snow when a trip to the supermarket is impossible. It’s about being able to cope with a power blackout, even if only for a few hours, so you can still stay warm, make a cup of tea, and enjoy a hot meal.

This may sound a little over the top to some, but these are exactly the situations where people suddenly find themselves unprepared and struggling. Already in 2024/2025 we’ve seen how close the UK came to a national blackout when the National Grid couldn’t produce enough power to meet demand. In fact, the UK blackout prevention system was activated in October 2024 (read the report here), and again in January 2025 we faced the tightest day in the electricity market since 2011 (full details here).

The government has even warned us to expect rolling blackouts during winter and has actively encouraged households to be prepared — advice which, for the most part, has fallen on deaf ears.

Instead of panic-buying expensive freeze-dried rations, think more like our grandparents did: stock a pantry with foods that keep well and can be rotated into your normal meals. It’s a practical, everyday approach that makes life easier in the short term and much safer in the long term.

🌍 Why Preparedness Matters

Preparedness isn’t about paranoia — it’s about resilience. Small disruptions happen more often than people realise, whether it’s a localised power cut, extreme weather, supply chain issues, or sudden illness. Having the right supplies and a simple plan in place can turn what might be a stressful situation into nothing more than a minor inconvenience.

📦 Key Areas of Preparedness

Here are the main areas we’ll cover in this section:

🥫 Food & Water Storage

How to build a sensible pantry, rotate your supplies, and ensure you’ve always got the basics on hand without wasting money.

🔋 Power & Heating Backups

From candles and torches to backup power solutions, how to keep the lights on and the kettle boiling during blackouts.

🩹 First Aid & Health

Essential first-aid supplies, over-the-counter medicines, and health basics every household should keep stocked.

🏠 Home & Personal Security

Practical, non-paranoid ways to keep your home safe and secure in uncertain times.

📡 Communication & Information

Why radios, charged devices, and backup communication methods still matter in a digital world.

📚 Start Exploring the Guides

Each of the sections above links out to practical, step-by-step guides:

✅ With this approach, preparedness becomes less about “doomsday bunkers” and more about common-sense planning — something every household in the UK can benefit from.