The Readiness Mindset
This page is intended as a companion to Prepared for 72 Hours and should be read alongside that page.
Preparedness is not only about what you store. It is also about how you think and how your household works day to day. A simple set of habits and expectations will make your home far more resilient during any short disruption. These behaviours take very little effort, but they create a stable foundation that supports everything else you do.
Know your home
A resilient household understands the basics of how the home works. You do not need specialist knowledge. You only need to know where the important points are located.
• The fuse box
• The stopcock for turning off water
• The main gas shutoff if you use gas
• The location of the boiler
• The easiest exits during a power cut
• Where the torches and lanterns are kept
Make sure everyone in the home knows these points. This turns small problems into manageable tasks rather than emergencies.
Understand likely risks
Preparedness begins by accepting that everyday disruptions do happen. Power cuts, storms, burst pipes and short communication outages are far more common than dramatic or cinematic events. Preparing calmly for these mundane situations removes most of the risk you will ever face.
A readiness mindset focuses on what is most likely, not what is sensational. Once you can handle a few days without power or water, you are already well covered for many other situations.
Build simple habits
Preparedness works best when it becomes part of everyday life. A few small habits make your home safer and more organised without adding work.
• Keep a torch near the bed
• Keep your phone charged whenever possible
• Put items back in their usual places
• Notice when supplies are running low
• Keep exits and stairways clear
These habits remove most of the friction you might otherwise face during a disruption. They also support the idea that you are responsible for your own household when help is delayed. Emergency services work hard, but they cannot always reach you immediately. Being able to look after yourself for a short time is part of a resilient home.
Stay aware in a calm, ordinary way
Situational awareness does not mean being anxious or expecting danger. It simply means paying attention to what is around you.
• Notice the weather and local news
• Look up when walking rather than relying only on your phone
• Be aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar places
• Have an idea of where your exits are
Awareness helps you identify problems early. It is relaxed, not fearful. Most people already do it without realising.
Use reliable information
Staying informed helps you make good decisions when things are uncertain. Use practical, trusted sources of information.
• Local radio stations
• National broadcasters
• The UK Emergency Alerts system
• Local authority websites
• Weather warnings from the Met Office
Emergency Alerts are an important part of this picture. They are a national tool used by the UK government to warn the public about serious and immediate threats to life. Alerts appear on your phone with a loud siren sound and a clear instruction on screen. You do not need an app and you do not need to sign up. They are used for events such as severe flooding, fast-spreading fires and major public safety incidents. They are rare and only sent when there is a genuine need to act quickly.
Your phone needs a mobile signal and enough battery to receive an alert. They will sound even if your phone is on silent, but not if it is switched off or in aeroplane mode. Emergency Alerts are designed to get your attention during the critical moment. They do not replace ongoing information, so follow up with local radio or trusted national broadcasters once you have seen the initial instruction.
Radios and simple written notes support you even when the phone signal drops or your phone is flat.
Keep household contacts accessible
A short disruption can separate people or leave someone with a flat phone. Keep a paper copy of important numbers such as close family, close friends, neighbours and work contacts. Store it where you can find it even in the dark. This allows you to use another phone if needed and prevents panic when a device fails.
Maintain basic home safety
Certain simple items protect your household long before an emergency begins. They are part of readiness because they reduce the risk of incidents during power cuts, heating failures or other disruptions.
• Working smoke alarms on every floor
• A carbon monoxide alarm if you have any appliance that burns fuel
• Clear exits and paths through the home
• Safe use of candles only when attended
Test alarms regularly and replace batteries as soon as they begin to chirp. These small acts protect the household every day of the year.
Keep documents accurate
A document wallet is only useful if the information inside is current. Every six months, check that contact details, medical information and insurance documents are still correct. Replace anything that has expired and remove anything you no longer need.
Build skills, not only supplies
Skills support your preparations far more than extra items do. Knowing how to shut off the water, reset a trip switch, use your first aid kit or operate your torch is more valuable than buying equipment you never practise with. A readiness mindset gives priority to the basics that help you act quickly when something goes wrong.
Think in routines
Preparedness is not a single project. It is a quiet routine that supports your home in the background. The aim is not perfection. The aim is to make life easier when something goes wrong.
• Put things back where they belong
• Keep a small buffer of the items you rely on
• Review once in a while and adjust as needed
With these habits in place, your 72 hour kit becomes far more effective. You know where everything is, you know what to do and you can act quickly without stress.
The aim
The readiness mindset is not about fear. It is about calm, comfortable independence. If your home stays organised and your household understands the basics, then most short emergencies become nothing more than inconveniences.