Building an emergency kit for a student flat

A good emergency kit for a student does not need to be big or expensive. It needs to cover a few days without power, water or shops, and to hold the documents you would need if you had to leave in a hurry.

The home kit: a few days of basics

• A battery or wind-up torch. The UK Government's Prepare site says torches are safer than candles.
• A portable power bank for your phone, kept charged.
• A battery or wind-up radio, plus spare batteries for the torch and radio (UK Government, Prepare).
• A first aid kit: waterproof plasters, bandages, a thermometer, antiseptic, eyewash solution, sterile dressings and gloves (UK Government, Prepare). The First Aid module has a full kit lesson.
• Hand sanitiser and wet wipes for hygiene when the water is off (UK Government, Prepare).
• Non-perishable food that needs no cooking, such as ready-to-eat tinned meat, fruit or vegetables (UK Government, Prepare). Choose halal tins you would actually eat, such as fish or beans, and keep a tin opener with them.
• Enough of any regular medication for several days (UK Government, Prepare).

How much water

• The UK Government's Prepare site cites the World Health Organization minimum of 2.5 to 3 litres of drinking water per person per day for survival.
• It says 10 litres per person per day gives more comfort and covers basic cooking and hygiene.
• Worked example: for 3 days at the survival minimum, one person needs 7.5 to 9 litres. A single 12-pack of 1.5 litre bottles (18 litres) covers that with room to spare.
• In GCC summer heat you will sweat more, so lean towards the higher figure.

The grab bag: if you have to leave

• Keep a small bag with items you would need if you had to leave quickly (UK Government, Prepare).
• For floods, the Prepare site lists medication, a first aid kit, important documents, a torch, bottled water, warm waterproof clothing and any care items.
• Keep documents in resealable waterproof bags (UK Government, Prepare) and make password-protected digital copies (Ready.gov).
• Add: a phone charging cable, a little cash, your written list of contacts, and a spare key.
• Never stop to collect anything if you are escaping a fire (UK Government, Prepare).

A student-budget version

• Start with what you already own: a power bank, a water bottle, your phone's torch as a last resort.
• Each week add one thing: a cheap torch and batteries, then a pack of water, then a few tins, then a first aid kit.
• Share bulky items with flatmates, such as one radio and one big first aid kit for the flat, but keep your own medicines, documents and water.
• Store everything in one labelled box or bag somewhere you can find in the dark, such as under the bed or at the bottom of the wardrobe (UK Government, Prepare: keep supplies in one place).

Keeping it ready

• Set a reminder at the start of each term to check the kit.
• Eat and replace food and water before the dates on the packs run out, so nothing is wasted.
• Recharge the power bank and test the torch.
• Update your medication supply and your paper contact list after any change.