Ready & Sorted: Larder
The larder, sorted
What to keep in the cupboard, how much water you really need, and what to do with the fridge and freezer when the power goes. Your grandmother called it a larder. She was right.
The guides
Kits and checklists
How to take a temperature with a digital thermometer, and which type to keep
Use a digital thermometer under the tongue or in the armpit (armpit for under-5s). A high temperature is usually 38C or above. Which type to keep.
Updated 1 October 2026
Kits and checklists
What to keep in your medicine cabinet: a UK checklist, and how to store it safely
Keep a small set for minor illness: pain relief, allergy, indigestion, diarrhoea and rehydration remedies, plus a thermometer. Ask a pharmacist.
Updated 1 October 2026
Kits and checklists
The best batteries for an emergency kit, and how long they last in storage
For most UK kits: AA or AAA alkaline batteries with a long printed date. How long batteries last in storage, and how to store and test them.
Updated 1 October 2026
Food and water
How long will my fridge and freezer stay cold in a power cut? A UK food-safety guide
A full freezer stays frozen for up to 48 hours in a power cut (about 24 if half full) and a fridge cold for up to 4 hours (FSA). What to keep or bin.
Updated 29 September 2026
Kits and checklists
Emergency kit list for UK homes (2026): the GOV.UK Prepare list, and 7 things we’d add
GOV.UK Prepare's home emergency kit: torch, power bank, radio, spare batteries, first aid kit, sanitiser and wipes, water, no-cook food, baby supplies.
Updated 29 September 2026
Get the free household plan
Two printable pages: your numbers, your kit, your plan. Free to download, no email needed.
Download the plan (PDF)Then, if you’d like, a short email every Thursday: what to get ready for next.
From our shop
The Essentials Kit puts the non-food essentials from the Prepare list in one bag. It isn’t on sale yet.
Hope for the best. Tin for the rest.