The UK government has launched its Be Ready campaign, encouraging households to prepare for up to three days of disruption to everyday services. From severe weather and flooding to power cuts and interruptions to communications, the initiative highlights the importance of taking simple, practical steps before an emergency happens.
For households, preparation does not have to mean buying everything at once. Keeping essential supplies at home, making a family emergency plan and thinking about how to stay connected during a power cut can all make a difference.
Alongside basic emergency supplies, a portable power station can provide an additional source of electricity for compatible devices and appliances when mains power is unavailable. Here is what to include in your emergency kit and how to choose a backup power solution that suits your household.
What Should Be in a 72-Hour Emergency Kit?
The aim is to have enough essential supplies to manage for three days if normal services are disrupted. You do not need to buy everything at once. Check what you already have at home, identify any gaps and build your kit gradually.
The UK government's Be Ready checklist recommends preparing the following items.
| Category | What to Prepare |
|---|---|
| Water and food | Drinking water and non-perishable food that does not require refrigeration or cooking. |
| Lighting and batteries | A torch, spare batteries and rechargeable lights. |
| Communication | A charged power bank, a battery-powered or wind-up radio, and important contact details. |
| Health and first aid | Essential medicines and first-aid supplies. |
| Warmth and clothing | Blankets, sleeping bags and warm clothing. |
| Personal essentials | Hygiene products and any supplies needed by children, older adults or pets. |
| Important items | Cash, copies of important documents and emergency contact information. |
A practical tip: Keep emergency supplies together in an accessible location and check them every six months. Replace expired food and medicines, recharge power banks and update your contact list when necessary.
Prepare for a Power Cut Before It Happens
A little preparation can make the first few hours without electricity much easier to manage.
- Save your electricity network operator’s contact details. In England, Scotland and Wales, call 105 to report a power cut. In Northern Ireland, call 03457 643643.
- Keep phones, power banks and rechargeable lights charged.
- Check and charge the backup battery or portable power source.
- Know where your torch, first-aid kit and emergency supplies are stored.
- Identify which devices your household needs most, such as communication equipment, essential lighting or a compatible medical device.
- Check the power requirements of any backup equipment you plan to use.
- Make a plan for household members who may need extra assistance, including older adults, children and pets.
What Should You Do During a Power Cut?
Your priorities change as an outage continues. Focus first on safety and communication, then manage food, warmth and backup power according to your household’s needs.
The First Few Hours: Stay Safe and Get Information
First, check whether the power cut affects only your home or the surrounding area. If it is safe to do so, check your consumer unit for a tripped circuit breaker. Do not touch damaged wiring or electrical equipment, and seek qualified help if you notice sparks, burning smells or other signs of electrical damage.
If a power cut happens at night, limited lighting can make it harder to move around safely and carry out everyday tasks. Keep a torch or rechargeable lantern within easy reach, conserve your phone battery and check official outage updates.
Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. According to the UK Food Standards Agency, a refrigerator may keep food cold for around four hours, while a full freezer may keep food frozen for up to 48 hours if left closed. These are estimates, and actual conditions vary. For more detailed advice on safe storage times, food safety, and ways to keep food cold, read our guide on how long food can last in the fridge without power.
4–24 Hours: Conserve Power and Manage Essentials
If the outage continues, avoid using electricity for non-essential activities. Decide which devices need charging first, keep lights switched off when they are not needed, and use blankets or additional clothing to stay warm.
Eat refrigerated food that needs to be used sooner, while following food safety advice. Keep ready-to-eat food available so that you do not have to rely on an electric cooker.
If you have a portable power station, use it selectively. Start with essential communication and lighting, then power other compatible devices if sufficient capacity remains.
24–48 Hours: Reassess Food, Supplies and Battery Levels
As the outage extends into a second day, check how much drinking water, food and usable backup power remain.
- Continue monitoring official updates about power restoration.
- Review the safety of refrigerated and frozen food rather than assuming it is still safe.
- Reserve battery capacity for the devices that matter most.
- Check whether household members need additional warmth, medication or other supplies.
- Consider alternative arrangements if your home becomes unsafe or difficult to stay in.
A portable power station can provide additional electricity for compatible devices, but its runtime depends on the power being used and the amount of energy available.
48–72 Hours: Prioritise Remaining Resources
By the third day, focus on maintaining essential needs rather than trying to operate every household appliance as normal.
Check remaining water and food, reassess charging priorities and continue following official advice. If essential services are unavailable or conditions at home become unsafe, consider moving to a suitable alternative location.
A 72-hour plan is a guide, not a guarantee that services will return within three days. Your response should reflect the actual conditions and any advice from local authorities.
Which VTOMAN Portable Power Station Could Suit Your Needs?
For households that want more than basic phone charging, a portable power station can provide another layer of preparedness. VTOMAN offers options for different power requirements, from everyday electronics to selected higher-power appliances.
If you want to run compatible AC appliances, a router, lights or other electronics during an outage, a portable power station may offer more flexibility. The right option depends on which devices you need to run, their power requirements and how long you expect to use them.
How to Choose a Portable Power Station for Home Backup
Before choosing a portable power station, focus on three key factors.
Battery capacity (Wh): This indicates how much energy the unit stores. A larger capacity can generally provide longer runtimes, depending on the connected devices and conversion losses.
Rated output (W): This determines how much power the unit can deliver at once. Check both the running wattage and any higher starting demand from appliances such as refrigerators.
Recharge options: AC charging is convenient when mains electricity is available. Solar charging can offer another way to replenish the battery when conditions and compatible equipment allow, although actual charging time depends on sunlight and the setup.
For emergency preparedness, choose a unit based on your actual needs rather than assuming one power station can run every appliance in your home.
3 VTOMAN Portable Power Stations to Consider for Emergency Backup
If you are looking for additional backup power for your household, VTOMAN offers several portable power stations suited to different capacity and output requirements.
VTOMAN FlashSpeed 2400: Fast-Recharging Backup Power
The VTOMAN FlashSpeed 2400 combines a 1,408Wh LiFePO4 battery with 2,400W of continuous AC output and up to 3,200W of peak output.
Key features include:
- 1,408Wh capacity and 2,400W output: Suitable for a range of compatible electronics and appliances within its rated limits.
- Fast AC recharging: Can recharge from 0% to 100% in around one hour under supported charging conditions.
- LiFePO4 battery: Rated for 3,000 charge cycles to 80% capacity.
- Multiple output ports: Supports charging or powering several compatible devices at once.
For households looking for a versatile backup option, the FlashSpeed 2400 offers a balance of capacity, output power and rapid recharging. It can also be useful for road trips and outdoor activities.
VTOMAN FlashSpeed Pro 3600: Higher-Capacity Home Backup
For households with greater power requirements, the VTOMAN FlashSpeed Pro 3600 provides 3,096Wh of battery capacity and 3,600W of continuous output.
Key features include:
- 3,096Wh capacity and 3,600W output: Supports a wider range of compatible higher-power appliances, provided their combined demand remains within the rated limit.
- Expandable capacity: Can be expanded with a compatible extra battery, with the official UK product page listing a maximum capacity of 5,912Wh.
- AC and solar charging: Provides multiple charging options for different circumstances.
- UPS functionality: Offers a switchover time of under 20 milliseconds for compatible connected equipment.
The FlashSpeed Pro 3600 is worth considering if you want a larger energy reserve for selected household essentials during an outage. Its actual runtime depends on the appliances connected, their power consumption and the energy available in the battery.
VTOMAN Jump 2200: Versatile Backup for Home and Travel
The VTOMAN Jump 2200 combines portable power with a built-in vehicle jump-start function, making it a versatile option for households that also travel by car.
Key features include:
- 2,200W rated output: Powers compatible devices within its rated limits.
- Up to 4,400W peak output: Supports suitable appliances with higher starting demands, subject to the device's specifications.
- Expandable battery capacity: The official UK range offers compatible extra-battery configurations for longer runtimes.
- Vehicle jump-start capability: Provides an additional function for suitable vehicles when needed.
The Jump 2200 may suit users who want one unit for selected home backup needs, camping and road trips. Check the exact model configuration and compatibility before purchasing.
Disclaimer:
The runtime of devices based on Vtoman technology mentioned here is for reference only. Actual runtime may vary depending on different circumstances. Please refer to actual usage data for accurate results.
Be Ready Before the Next Power Cut
A power cut can happen when you least expect it, so the best time to prepare is before the lights go out. Drinking water, non-perishable food, reliable lighting and a clear plan for prioritising essential devices can help you manage the first 24 hours. If the disruption lasts longer, having enough backup power can make it easier to keep essential electronics running without constantly worrying about your remaining battery.
VTOMAN portable power stations offer an additional layer of preparedness, helping you charge phones, power lights and run other compatible devices during an outage. Whether you need the VTOMAN FlashSpeed 2400 for everyday essentials, the higher-capacity FlashSpeed Pro 3600 for greater power needs, or the versatile Jump 2200 for home and vehicle emergencies, choosing a model that matches your actual power requirements is an important part of building a practical 72-hour emergency plan. Explore the VTOMAN power station range to find the right backup solution for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should Be in a 72-Hour Emergency Kit in the UK?
The UK government's checklist includes drinking water, non-perishable food, a torch, spare batteries, a charged power bank, a radio, essential medicines, first-aid supplies, cash and important contact details. Add any supplies your household needs, including baby products or pet food.
Can a Portable Power Station Help During a Power Cut?
Yes. A portable power station can run compatible devices within its rated output and available battery capacity. It may power items such as lights, routers, laptops and selected appliances, but runtime depends on their power consumption.
How Much Portable Power Station Capacity Do I Need for Home Backup?
It depends on which devices you want to power and for how long. Add up their wattage and estimate the hours of use to calculate the energy required in watt-hours (Wh). Allow for conversion losses and check that the total running and starting power remains within the unit's limits.
Can Solar Panels Recharge a Portable Power Station During an Outage?
Yes, if the power station supports solar charging and you use compatible panels. Charging speed depends on sunlight, panel output, weather and the unit's input limits, so solar charging should be treated as a supplementary option rather than a guaranteed source of continuous power.
