Emergency Kit for Elderly Parents: UK Checklist

Do these first

• Sign them up to the Priority Services Register with their energy and water suppliers. It’s free and they get extra help and warnings during outages.
• If they use telecare or a personal alarm, check how it works in a power cut. GOV.UK says telecare providers must supply a free backup battery unit for the landline.
• Check whether their landline has moved to digital, and what that means for their phone in a power cut.
• Make sure repeat prescriptions are ordered at least 5 working days before they run out, as GOV.UK advises.
• Agree who checks on them, how, and what happens if nobody can get through. Ask a neighbour to be part of it.

A simple kit for their home

• A bright, easy-to-use torch in every room they use, and a battery lantern.
• A battery radio with large, simple controls, tuned in advance to their local station.
• A charged power bank and the right cable for their phone.
• Blankets, a warm hat and thermal layers. Hypothermia is a real risk for older people when the heating goes off.
• 3 days of water and food they like and can open easily, with a manual tin opener or ring-pull tins.
• A week’s medication organised in a pill organiser, with a written list of medicines and doses.
• Big, clearly written phone numbers by the phone: family, neighbours, GP, 105 for power cuts.

Home safety checks

• Test smoke alarms monthly, or fit sealed 10-year alarms so there are no batteries to change.
• Fit a carbon monoxide alarm, especially if they use gas or solid fuel.
• Make sure they know how to turn off the gas, electricity and water, or that you do.
• If they use powered medical equipment, make a power cut plan with their clinical team. A portable power station may help.

Frequently asked questions