THE GEAR SHED.

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22 gear ideas

🔦Power & comms

TORCH & LIGHT

Reliable LED torch

A British power cut classic. Keep it where everyone can find it.

Find on Amazon UK ↗Category illustration, not a specific listing. Confirm details, price and suitability with the retailer.

🔋Power & comms

PHONE POWER

20,000mAh power bank

Keep a phone charged for genuine updates, not just the family WhatsApp.

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📻Power & comms

STAY INFORMED

Wind-up FM radio

Listen to local news when mains and broadband disappear. Look for UK FM reception.

Find on Amazon UK ↗Category illustration, not a specific listing. Confirm details, price and suitability with the retailer.

💡Power & comms

HANDS FREE

LED head torch

Essential when searching for a fuse box with both hands occupied.

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🏮Power & comms

ROOM LIGHT

Battery-powered lantern

A room-friendly light source that beats balancing a phone against a mug.

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🔋Power & comms

SPARES

AA and AAA batteries

Worth keeping in a dry drawer alongside battery-powered kit.

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⚡Power & comms

OPTIONAL UPGRADE

Portable power station

Higher-budget backup for charging small devices; check capacity and appliance compatibility.

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💧Water & food

DRINKING WATER

Food-grade water container

For safe additional water storage. Choose clean, food-safe containers.

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🥫Water & food

LOW COST WIN

Manual tin opener

Useful if your three-day pantry is mostly tins and the electricity is having a day off.

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☕Water & food

HOT DRINKS

Insulated flask

Store hot water or drinks safely ahead of a likely disruption. No indoor camp stoves.

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🥫Water & food

PANTRY TOP-UP

Long-life food box

Use ordinary shelf-stable foods your household already eats; rotate them regularly.

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🩹Home & safety

FAMILY BASIC

First-aid kit

Something useful to have in the cupboard, before you find out you need one.

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🧣Home & safety

STAY WARM

Emergency thermal blankets

Cheap, compact backups for warmth. Keep normal blankets and spare layers too.

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🗂️Home & safety

FLOOD SMART

Waterproof document pouch

Keep useful copies of key household and insurance documents protected.

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🚨Home & safety

HOME ESSENTIAL

Smoke alarms

Check British standards, installation guidance and replacement dates before buying.

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⚠️Home & safety

CO SAFETY

Carbon monoxide alarm

Important alongside fuel-burning appliances. Look for UK-appropriate EN 50291 compliance.

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🎒Car & travel

EASY TO GRAB

Waterproof dry bag

Useful for a grab bag, vital documents and essentials in wet weather.

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🚗Car & travel

WINTER ROADS

UK winter car kit

Think ice scraper, blanket, high-vis, torch and sensible car-specific supplies.

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🔌Car & travel

BACK ON THE ROAD

Car jump starter

Optional if your car battery has previous form. Follow your vehicle instructions.

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🐾Family & pets

DON'T FORGET THEM

Pet emergency bag

Keep food, lead, medication instructions and familiar comfort items together.

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🧸Family & pets

FAMILY READY

Baby essentials organiser

A small grab-ready stock of supplies, comfort items and feeding equipment.

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📣Car & travel

SMALL BUT USEFUL

Emergency whistle

Tiny, inexpensive and good to have if you need to attract attention.

Find on Amazon UK ↗Category illustration, not a specific listing. Confirm details, price and suitability with the retailer.

UK safety reminder: never use camping stoves, barbecues or generators indoors. Check smoke and carbon monoxide alarm standards and follow manufacturers’ instructions.