READY72

People & pets · Sources reviewed 24 October 2026

An emergency plan that fits accessibility and support needs

Accessibility is not an extra bag of equipment added at the end. It affects whether a person can find the plan, understand it, communicate and use the supplies. Begin with the person’s own preferences and usual routines. A useful plan supports independence and choice rather than assuming what someone needs.

Ask what would change during an interruption

Talk through lighting, hearing, sight, mobility, communication and personal-care routines. Identify which tasks depend on power, water, a phone, a lift or another person. You do not need a diagnosis to have that conversation, and READY72 deliberately does not ask for one.

Choose formats the person can actually use: large print, a familiar communication method or a paper copy in a known location may be better than a phone-only plan. Check packaging, torch switches and the weight of water containers. Something being in the house does not mean everyone can access it.

Agree a support arrangement, not a vague promise

Be Ready recommends a backup plan with people who may need extra support, especially if they live alone. Ask who could check in if calls do not work and make sure that person has agreed. A nearby neighbour may be able to help with a simple task that a distant relative cannot reach quickly.

Keep the arrangement proportionate and safe. Do not plan for someone to enter an unsafe building or ignore evacuation instructions. If professional carers are involved, ask how their service handles disruption and what you should do if the usual visit cannot take place.

Check powered equipment with the provider

The British Red Cross lists chargers, batteries, mobility aids and equipment instructions as household-specific considerations. Ask the equipment supplier or care team what backup arrangements are appropriate and what to do if power fails. Keep the relevant instructions accessible. A consumer phone power bank is not automatically safe or adequate for essential equipment.

Do not test backup arrangements by disconnecting essential equipment or changing treatment. Use the provider’s instructions and seek professional advice where the plan is unclear. This article is a discussion prompt, not a technical or clinical backup-power specification.

Understand the utility support registers

Be Ready directs households in England, Scotland and Wales to check Priority Services Register eligibility with energy and water suppliers. In Northern Ireland it points to Customer Care Registers. Different suppliers have their own arrangements, so ask about the utilities you actually use. Eligibility is broader than a single diagnosis; Be Ready includes households with children under five as an example.

Registering helps a supplier understand that extra support may be needed. It is not a promise of uninterrupted supply or an immediate repair. Keep a household plan alongside registration, and update the supplier when contact or support arrangements change.

Sources

Original source-based READY72 explainer, not clinical advice or expert certification.

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