Emergency preparation when you live alone

Choose a realistic check-in arrangement

Ask a trusted friend, neighbour, relative or support worker whether they can check in during disruption. Agree how and when, and what a missed message means. Choose an alternative if the usual person is unavailable. The plan should reflect actual availability; nobody should be listed as an emergency helper without agreeing to the role.

Record your check-in plan

Make supplies reachable and usable

Keep a torch where you can find it in darkness and a small paper contact card where you normally sit or sleep. Choose water containers and food packages you can safely carry, open and use. A large container is not useful if you cannot lift it. Test the tin opener and radio yourself, and keep walking routes clear.

• Separate everyday essentials from items you would take if told to leave.
• Check charging leads, batteries and accessible controls.
• Choose food that suits your normal diet and does not require cooking.
• Identify any task that becomes difficult without lifts, lighting or transport.

Adapt your checklistPrepare food without cooking

Ask providers about support before an outage

Living alone by itself does not establish eligibility for every support scheme. Tell your utility providers about relevant needs such as mobility, communication or dependence on equipment, and ask what help they can provide. Record which registers you have joined and what was confirmed. If you cannot carry bottled water or reach a collection point, explain that practical difficulty to your water provider.

Find the right priority-support routesAge UK: preparation for storms (opens in a new tab)

Check care, telecare and medicine arrangements

Ask the organisation providing a care visit, alarm or medical device what happens during power and communications failures. Write down its contact number, approved backup arrangements and when to seek help. Check whether a broadband-based landline or alarm depends on home electricity. A mobile phone may also lose service, so do not assume it is a complete replacement.

• Keep a current medicine list and the pharmacy contact.
• Ask about product-specific refrigeration needs if relevant.
• Agree a backup if a regular carer cannot reach you.
• Make sure a trusted helper knows the plan without sharing more private information than necessary.

Check landline and telecare backupPlan additional care needs

Decide where you could go and how

Choose a possible place to stay if home becomes unsuitable and ask the host in advance. Discuss transport, accessibility, medicines, pets and what you can carry. Record a second option where practical. During an incident, check that the route and destination are safe before travelling; a plan made in good weather is not permission to cross floodwater or ignore an instruction from emergency services.

Evacuation planningRead current weather warnings

Rehearse one step and review the plan

Try finding your light and contact card with the room lights off, without creating a trip hazard. Check that you can read the card and operate the radio. Then discuss the missed-check-in step with your helper. Review after a move, a change in health or support, or when a contact becomes unavailable. If there is no suitable personal helper, ask your local council or an established community organisation what support exists locally; availability varies.

Ready Scotland: household and neighbour planning (opens in a new tab)Find your local council (opens in a new tab)