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Preppers

Basic urban prepping for single person

34 replies

ThisNiftyMember · 07/11/2026 16:17

I have been assessing the guidance that seems to be flying about at the moment and today decided to take first steps.

I have always tried to keep a couple of weeks of tinned stuff in case of snow or ice so not going overboard on that front. I have now bought 5 litres of water in a container with a carry handle and some dried foods with longer dates on them.

Wet wipes, batteries for torches and radio are sorted.

I will go through bathroom cabinet to check use by dates on cough mixture, paracetamol, throat lozenges and rehydration sachets. I may need some more antiseptic wipes.

I have spare blankets so should keep warm enough. My flat only has electric radiators so if electricity goes down it will get cold I sm in a terrace of flats so that does keep some warmth in.

Old style tin opener is in constant use anyway so no need to get one of those.

Has anyone got any suggestions of other things I need to consider?

OP posts:
JustgoawayT · 07/11/2026 16:19

More water- you need 3l a day minimum.
Cash hidden in the house
Keep a few power packs charged
Don't let your car get low if you have one
Likewise any repeat prescriptions

WyrdHag · 07/11/2026 16:22

Single burner camping stove and spare cannisters

https://amzn.eu/d/0glvpObn

Candles, matches, lighters, battery operated camping/fairy lights

Amazon

Amazon

https://amzn.eu/d/0glvpObn?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-preppers-5597358-basic-urban-prepping-for-single-person

ThisNiftyMember · 07/11/2026 16:24

JustgoawayT · 07/11/2026 16:19

More water- you need 3l a day minimum.
Cash hidden in the house
Keep a few power packs charged
Don't let your car get low if you have one
Likewise any repeat prescriptions

I forgot to say I am gradually stashing cash. Putting aside £20 every time I get £50 out. Water will be added to as well. Repeat meds is good reminder. I have an asthma review soon. Before I was refused a prescription because I ordered it too early so I will ask what I have to do to be able to have a spare of each of my blue and brown inhalers.

OP posts:
ThisNiftyMember · 07/11/2026 16:27

I do have a good stash of candles and tea lights but did not list them because I thought it might just lead to people telling me they are too dangerous. I was a Guider for over 20 years and I am very safety conscious. My candles are always in very safe jars or containers.

OP posts:
namechangeforthisstory · 07/11/2026 16:29

Just out of interest how do you get more prescription medicine?

ThisNiftyMember · 07/11/2026 16:35

namechangeforthisstory · 07/11/2026 16:29

Just out of interest how do you get more prescription medicine?

I recently moved to a new GP practice and apart from my flu hab I have not had any in person interactions. I will be asking if they can set up my repeat prescription order frequently so that I can have one inhaler of each colour in use and another spare. Luckily I don't need my blue one very often but my brown one I use every day. I will report back what asthma nurse says.

OP posts:
72Kit · 07/11/2026 17:12

Sounds like a really sensible start. A couple of things that are easy to overlook when you live alone: agree a check-in with a neighbour or friend so someone knows you're OK if phones are patchy, and write key numbers on paper (GP, family, 105 for power cuts) in case your phone is flat. If the power goes, keep the freezer shut, as a full one stays frozen for around two days. And keep a torch somewhere you can find it in the dark.

nannynick · 07/11/2026 17:13

Heated gilet, heated throw - something that will provide some heat close to body, powered by USB powerbank.

A way of heating water - kettle, gas stove.

More water.

Shloopie · 07/11/2026 20:10

I bought a pair of these battery powered lamps. They cast a good light, strong enough to read comfortably by at night time, and safer than candles

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07WZYXKYY?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

NotARealWookiie · 07/11/2026 20:33

I’ve got a set of thermals incase it’s cold and the central heating fails

BlackeyedSusan · 07/11/2026 20:47

namechangeforthisstory · 07/11/2026 16:29

Just out of interest how do you get more prescription medicine?

Request slightly early each month. They won't give you it if you order too soon. But building up a couple of days at a time.

BlackeyedSusan · 07/11/2026 21:10

Skills you've probably got sorted with guiding.

Network. Know your neighbours, other guiders if possible.

Small notes, not all twenties. Change.

Merino wool thermals. Wool jumpers.
Hats, gloves, scarves, woolly socks and warm slippers.

First aid kit. (Dressings, plasters, elastic bandages, etc)

Plenty of cold meds. You don't want to.have tomgo.out when ill. Flu might take a week to recover from.

Flu jab.

Food: stuff you like and eat already. Different categories for different circumstances. ( Powercut, illness, water off, cyber attacks, bad weather)

Eat no cook (eg:crackers, ryvita, wraps, Christmas cake, tinned fish and meat, rye bread, tinned beans custard or rice pudding if you like cold, chocolate, biscuits, snacks, ready cooked sweetcorn or beetroot, jars of veg: olives, beetroot, onions, cabbage, sun-dried tomato etc, dried fruits, cereals, nuts, seeds, dried milk powder, uht milk, plant milks. Peanut butter, jam, honey, spreads, etc evaporated milk and tinned fruit )

Food you add water too:
Custard, cup soup, noodles, gravy, mug shots, ready cooked rice, savoury rice, cous cous. Instant mash

Food you microwave:
Soups, custard, rice pudding, tinned meals, tinned veg, microwave rice, Christmas pudding, beans, chopped tomatoes .

Stuff in your freezer, batch cooked meals, frozen veggies (that are still frozen, not cyber attacked)

Long life stuff: pasta, tinned beans.

Reusable hand warmers.

Celer · 07/11/2026 21:15

Do you have another single neighbour you get on with well and trust? It might be a good idea to swap spare door keys, phone numbers of your next of kin and support each other generally by being each others check in person.

CrystalSingerFan · 07/11/2026 22:47

I've got a rainwater butt. Can I just drink from this?

Applepiewithcream · 08/11/2026 08:13

namechangeforthisstory · 07/11/2026 16:29

Just out of interest how do you get more prescription medicine?

You can’t easily.

You can order at the earliest opportunity which is around 7 days before the meds are needed. If you find you are on your last meds when you are collecting the next repeat, you could try speaking to your practice and explain that you have less than a 24/48 hour buffer and ask if they would allow the next one a little early to allow an ongoing longer buffer.

You can often order a little earlier over holiday periods which may also help. If you are genuinely going on holiday they may also allow you to order early, if that means you would run out when you are away. What they shouldn’t be allowing is you to order to have an additional month’s supply just in case. If everyone did that there would be a massive supply chain issue. In most cases the most you could expect is not to run out and have a buffer of a small number of days.

Note they won’t allow controlled drugs to be ordered early.

Celer · 08/11/2026 08:19

CrystalSingerFan · 07/11/2026 22:47

I've got a rainwater butt. Can I just drink from this?

No, absolutely not. You’ll need to put it through a filter and boil it. Rainwater which has come off a roof is going to be contaminated.

Celer · 08/11/2026 08:21

Celer · 08/11/2026 08:19

No, absolutely not. You’ll need to put it through a filter and boil it. Rainwater which has come off a roof is going to be contaminated.

Even that isn’t really enough. It’s is heavily contaminated and may have bird faeces/heavy metals in it.

Applepiewithcream · 08/11/2026 09:00

I have taken the three day guidance as a worst case scenario with no power or water for the duration. So foods that can be eaten as they are, sufficient water and any medications that may be needed. So being completely self sufficient for at least that time period.

You will have the contents of your fridge, some of which may not need cooking. If you have a freezer, you may be able to use some of that but a lot of freezer stuff will need to be cooked. Alternatively you are looking at foods that can be eaten as they are and are the sort of things you would normally eat.

My starting point for food was a meal plan for three meals a day based on what we like to eat and what could be eaten as it is. Don’t underestimate the day to day things that you probably take for granted but which bring some comfort and joy. Coffee/tea (you will need a source of heat for hot water), chocolate, biscuits etc. Other than not normally having bottles of water for drinking we are otherwise well equipped, so a lot of the list is already covered.

Looking at what you have already got, you will need to add far more water. To be comfortable it is suggested you have 10ltrs per adult a day.

You have tins, have you got a means of heating the content? Or are you happy to eat the content cold?

Snack things, such as crackers, nuts, sweet treats etc. UHT milk, oats, cereal etc. It may be worth considering buying some treats for Christmas early such as Christmas cake, mince pies etc which are calorie dense. So you are prepping for Christmas but can draw on those resources early if needs must. You just need to remember to replace them after the festive period.

Focus on calories. As long as you are getting enough calories, how they come is less important in a crisis situation. If you can have some semblance of a balanced diet all the better, but for a few days calories should be the focus.

How would you manage to wash up if you are cooking or plates?

Think about what your light source is going to be in each essential room. Do you have plenty of batteries? A head torch can be useful.

It sounds like you are getting on top of medications and perhaps first aid stuff.

Don’t underestimate how cold it could get. Do you have thermals including socks? Fingerless gloves? Warm hat? As well as blankets, throws, duvets etc.

I keep power banks, torches, matches, lighter and a basic supply of candles all in one space and anything that has been used (we have dogs and are out in the dark) is charged on a weekly basis, the rest is checked monthly and charged if necessary. Random thought, if you have an electric toothbrush either make sure it is regularly charged or get a manual toothbrush.

Very worst case scenario - how are you going to toilet?

I have not seen many people mention entertainment. How are you going to while away your time? Have whatever it is you need to hand.

It may help to think about categories such as food, water, warmth, light, health, hygiene and entertainment.

Additup · 08/11/2026 10:41

Celer · 08/11/2026 08:21

Even that isn’t really enough. It’s is heavily contaminated and may have bird faeces/heavy metals in it.

Wouldn't it be okay if you used water purification tablets on it (and boiled it)?

CrystalSingerFan · 08/11/2026 11:53

Celer · 08/11/2026 08:19

No, absolutely not. You’ll need to put it through a filter and boil it. Rainwater which has come off a roof is going to be contaminated.

Thanks!

OffTheMap · 08/11/2026 12:29

Think about toilet flushing if the water is off for 3 days.

You’ll have one cistern full: don’t waste it on wees
After that you can flush with a bucket from your water butt if you have one. Or consider a sturdy bucket lined with a pedal bin liner or similar and possibly cat litter. Knot and put in bin.

ThisNiftyMember · 08/11/2026 12:40

Thank you everyone. Some very good points for me to follow up.

OP posts:
karrapo · 08/11/2026 13:43

I'm with @Applepiewithcream on her advice.

I live alone too and have non cook food and water stashed away, together with power banks and a little solar/wind up radio. That's it. I'm prepared for three days with no power or means of cooking, that is what we need to do IMO. Keep it simple.

nomadmaident · 09/11/2026 22:07

ThisNiftyMember · 07/11/2026 16:27

I do have a good stash of candles and tea lights but did not list them because I thought it might just lead to people telling me they are too dangerous. I was a Guider for over 20 years and I am very safety conscious. My candles are always in very safe jars or containers.

I think it's a good idea also to have candles, and burning them inside old jam jars is pretty safe. They help add a little heat if there is a power outtage. If you've got a camping gaz stove, it's a good idea to have a cheap whistling kettle. Also, a couple of hot water bottles.

nomadmaident · 09/11/2026 22:17

CrystalSingerFan · 07/11/2026 22:47

I've got a rainwater butt. Can I just drink from this?

Best to have bottled water for drinking, tho' rainwater butt water should be ok if you boil it thoroughly first (camping gaz stove).
But very useful for flushing toilets with bucket.