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Measure the space before buying containers
Choose a few existing storage locations and measure them. A shallow space under a bed, part of a kitchen cupboard and a shelf for light equipment may be more useful than one large emergency box. Keep a written note of locations so supplies remain findable when spread across the flat.
Start with the largest requirement: water. At the current government drinking-water allowance, two people need 18 litres for three days, before water for other uses. That is about 18 kilograms of water. Divide it into containers you can lift and store safely rather than putting a heavy load on an unsuitable shelf.
Follow packaging storage directions. Keep drinking water and food away from cleaning chemicals, excessive heat and sunlight. An airing cupboard, sunny window ledge or exposed balcony may be a poor choice. If storage is genuinely limited, record what you can hold and the remaining gap instead of crowding an escape route.
The hallway is not spare storage
Keep the route from the bedroom to the front door clear inside the flat. Put the grab bag somewhere accessible without leaving it where someone may trip. Shared corridors and stairs must also remain clear. London Fire Brigade's guidance explains that clutter can obstruct escape, add fuel to a fire and delay firefighters.
Do not use a communal riser cupboard, meter cupboard or stair landing as extra kit storage. These spaces have building functions and access requirements. Ask the managing agent about permitted storage if you are unsure. Preparation should not create a hazard for neighbours.
Ask for the building's current fire instructions. Different buildings have different evacuation arrangements, and a general emergency checklist cannot replace them. Tell the responsible person if disability or limited mobility affects your ability to follow the plan. During a fire, follow emergency instructions and never delay escape to fetch supplies.
Plan meals that fit a small kitchen
Keep a short reserve of familiar food in the ordinary cupboard rotation. Choose suitable ready-to-eat options because you may have no safe outdoor location for a stove. Read labels carefully: microwave rice, dried noodles and tinned meals can have different preparation requirements despite appearing in the same supermarket aisle.
Use portions the household can finish after opening. A large tin may look economical but create leftovers that need refrigeration. Include a manual opener if needed, and check there is enough space to prepare and serve a simple meal without moving the whole reserve.
Do not put a barbecue, generator or outdoor heater inside to compensate for a power cut. A balcony is not automatically a permitted or safe cooking location either. Check building rules and product instructions, and use the combustion safety guide before considering alternatives.
Ask what depends on the building's power
Contact the manager about lifts, entry doors, communal lighting, heating and any water pumps. Find out how faults are reported outside office hours and how residents receive updates. The fact that your own sockets work does not establish that every shared service is operating.
Check the normal way to leave through the entrance door if powered access control fails, using the building's instructions. Do not interfere with locks or fire-safety equipment to test a theory. If an accessible exit depends on equipment, raise that concern before an outage.
A high-floor flat changes the practical value of delivered water. Can you carry the bottles from the entrance if the lift is unavailable? If not, arrange help or tell the relevant provider about the access need. A supply delivered to the pavement is not the same as a supply you can use at home.
Choose devices that solve a specific problem
A torch, a tested phone power bank and a small battery radio take relatively little space. Keep the correct cables and batteries with them. One familiar device that everyone can operate is preferable to several gadgets with missing leads. Use normal blankets and clothing rather than buying bulky duplicate bedding unless you have identified a need.
Protect charging equipment from damage and follow manufacturer instructions about charging and storage. Keep it away from escape routes and combustible clutter. If somebody needs powered medical equipment, obtain a specific outage plan; the flat's limited space does not make a small unapproved battery an adequate substitute.
Make a modest shared plan
Exchange contact details with a neighbour if both of you are comfortable doing so. Agree a useful task, such as sharing an official building update or checking whether somebody needs help carrying supplies. Keep medical information and access codes private.
Finish with a location list, a current building contact and a realistic carrying test for the grab bag. If you rent, add the repair and reporting details in our renters' guide. The plan should fit the flat you occupy, including its stairs and shared entrance.