Emergency kit for babies, children and pets

What you need

Start with your normal home kit. Then add the extras below. Aim for 3 days, as Be Ready suggests.

For a baby

• Formula, if you use it. Be Ready says ready-made or ready-to-feed formula is best, as you may not be able to boil water.
• Clean bottles and teats that are ready to use.
• Nappies. A guide figure is 6 nappies, but count what your baby uses.
• Wipes and nappy bags.
• Extra water. Allow about 1 litre for each baby, each day, on top of the adult amount.
• Warm layers. A sleepsuit, hat, socks and a baby sleeping bag or blanket.
• Any medicines your baby needs, with a note of doses.

If you breastfeed or express milk, think about what you would need without power. A hand pump can help if you normally use an electric one.

For questions about feeding or medicines, speak to your health visitor, pharmacist or GP. For urgent health questions, call 111.

For young children

• Snacks they like and will eat, such as crackers, dried fruit and cereal bars.
• A comfort toy or blanket.
• Things to do without power: books, cards, colouring and small games.
• Their own small torch, so the dark feels less scary.
• Warm clothes and a spare set.
• Children’s medicines they use, checked for dates.

For pets

Be Ready asks you to keep pet food and bottled water for your pets. You may also want:

• Any pet medicines, with dosing notes.
• A lead, harness or carrier.
• Poo bags, or litter and a tray.
• A bowl for water and food.
• Your vet’s phone number on paper.
• Vaccination records and microchip details.
• A recent photo of your pet, in case you get separated.

Ask your vet if you are not sure how much food or water your pet needs each day.

What you probably already own

Families with young children and pets often have more than they think:

• The changing bag. It already holds nappies, wipes, a change of clothes and snacks. Keep it stocked.
• Spare formula or ready-to-feed cartons from the cupboard.
• Old baby blankets and sleeping bags.
• Toys and books that do not need batteries or screens.
• A travel pet bowl and spare lead.
• An unopened bag of pet food.
• A pet carrier from vet trips.

Keep it fresh

• Use the oldest formula and food first, and replace it.
• Check nappy and clothes sizes every few months.
• Check dates on children’s medicines.
• Replace stored tap water every 6 months.

Tick off baby and pet items in our checklist tool.

What to buy, if anything

You may only need a few extras:

• A small stock of ready-to-feed formula, if you use formula. Check the dates and use it in rotation.
• An extra pack of nappies in the next size up.
• A spare bag of pet food that you rotate into normal use.
• A torch or lantern that is safe for children to hold. See our guide to torches and lanterns.

If you may need to leave home quickly, pack baby and pet items in a grab bag too. See our flood grab bag guide.

For the full household list, read what to put in an emergency kit.