Free first steps · Sources reviewed 24 October 2026
Start preparing on a budget—and keep the plan useful
Preparedness advice can look like a shopping list, but many of the most useful actions cost nothing. Be Ready explicitly says not everyone can take every suggested step and encourages households to build gradually. The British Red Cross says there is no perfect kit and no need for specialist or expensive supplies. Start from that position, not from a basket total.
Do three free things first
Write down important phone numbers, agree a household meeting point and find the useful items you already own. These actions make existing supplies easier to use. A working torch in a known place is useful preparation even if it was bought years ago and has never been called emergency equipment.
Ask a neighbour or trusted contact about checking in if calls fail. Agree what is realistic rather than making a broad promise to help everyone. Check school or childcare contact details where relevant. None of those steps needs a new subscription, specialist kit or purchase through READY72.
Split the list into “have”, “check” and “missing”
A cupboard audit often reveals that you have long-life food, blankets, hygiene supplies or a phone cable already. “Check” means test it, read storage instructions, confirm compatibility or count the quantity. Only after those checks do you know what is genuinely missing.
If you can afford to add supplies, build them into normal shopping rather than feeling pressured to buy everything at once. Prioritise what fits your household’s actual needs. Cash is a suggestion to consider within your means, not an official fixed sum you must hold. An optional purchase never earns extra READY72 points.
Treat the score as a reminder, not a verdict
READY72 divides completed applicable, non-optional actions by the total of those actions. Each counts equally. Optional and not-applicable items are excluded; your own added actions can change the denominator. This makes the arithmetic visible, but it does not turn a subjective checklist into a prediction of safety.
A lower score can simply show where the next small action is. It does not mean a household has failed, and a 100% score does not guarantee that a particular emergency will be manageable. Do not mark an item complete just to improve the number. Write a note or mark an action not applicable when that honestly reflects your circumstances.
Use the six-month review to remove friction
Be Ready suggests a six-month supply review. Check dates, batteries, charged devices, current numbers and whether the household has changed. Print a fresh plan or save an updated offline copy, and dispose of obsolete copies containing personal information appropriately. Calendar downloads must be imported into your own calendar; READY72 does not send emergency alerts.
A useful review ends with a short next step, not a longer wish list. If you have more supplies than you need, Be Ready suggests considering donations or helping someone with printing. Share practical knowledge without assuming everyone has the same money, space, health or time.
Sources
- UK Government · Be Ready (formerly Prepare) — reviewed 24 October 2026
- British Red Cross · Prepare an emergency kit — reviewed 24 October 2026
Original source-based READY72 explainer, not clinical advice or expert certification.