Why this matters
Build a menu that can step down with the situation: normal meals, low-fuel meals and no-cook food. Keep fuel separate and legal, and never assume a camping stove, barbecue or generator is safe inside a home, tent, garage or other enclosed space.
Cooking also uses water and creates washing-up. Plan simple portions, clean utensils and food-safe temperatures. If power returns after a long outage, check appliances and food before returning to normal.
Before disruption
Prepare now
- Keep several safe meals that require no heat, refrigeration or complicated preparation.
- Read appliance instructions and local fire guidance before choosing any backup method.
- Store permitted fuel safely, away from living areas, heat, children and ignition sources.
- Keep a suitable extinguisher or fire blanket only where recommended and learn how to use it.
- Test the menu during an ordinary day and record water, fuel, utensils and time actually used.
When it is happening
Protect the next decision
- Cook only in a location and manner approved for the device, fuel and current conditions.
- Keep children, loose clothing and flammable material away from heat and open flame.
- Never leave active cooking unattended and stop if ventilation, stability or supervision is inadequate.
- If carbon-monoxide poisoning is suspected, move to fresh air when safe and contact emergency services.
Plan for real people
Access, care and inclusion
- Plan methods that can be used by people with limited grip, reach, vision, balance or stamina.
- Prepare suitable no-cook options for people who cannot safely operate the backup equipment.
- Consider smells, smoke and allergens in shared accommodation or shelters.
- Keep medicine and medical oxygen away from flames and heat as instructed by professionals.
Mental readiness
Protect morale and clear thinking
- A warm drink or simple hot meal can restore routine, but only when the heating method is safe.
- Choose one familiar low-fuel meal that the household enjoys and can make together.
- Keep the cook’s workload realistic. Tired people make more mistakes around heat and blades.
Common mistakes
What to avoid
- Using barbecues, generators or fuel-burning camping appliances in enclosed or partly enclosed areas.
- Improvising burners, fuels, flues or electrical connections.
- Spending scarce clean water and fuel on complicated meals before essential needs are secure.
Evidence and review
Sources behind this guide
These sources are evidence to evaluate, not instructions imported unchanged into this guide. Each source is identified by institution type so you can consider its remit, funding, jurisdiction and limits. Check the original date and current version for your location.
- PrepareUK GovernmentGovernment or public authority
For information and context. Useful for current rules, warnings, services and the institution's stated position. It is not a guarantee of timely help, completeness, neutrality or suitability for your household.
- Planning Ahead for Crises and DisastersGerman Federal Office of Civil ProtectionGovernment or public authority
For information and context. Useful for current rules, warnings, services and the institution's stated position. It is not a guarantee of timely help, completeness, neutrality or suitability for your household.
- Work Out What Supplies You NeedNew Zealand National Emergency Management AgencyGovernment or public authority
For information and context. Useful for current rules, warnings, services and the institution's stated position. It is not a guarantee of timely help, completeness, neutrality or suitability for your household.
- Civil Defence Emergency HandbookSingapore Civil Defence ForceGovernment or public authority
For information and context. Useful for current rules, warnings, services and the institution's stated position. It is not a guarantee of timely help, completeness, neutrality or suitability for your household.
Editorial status: first staging edition. Safety-critical instructions will receive specialist and jurisdiction review before public launch.