Austen and Boelo: a practical household storm plan for October 2026
A dated UK and Ireland storm briefing: check local warnings, prepare for disruption and understand what El Nino can and cannot tell you.
Read article3 min readHousehold emergency preparation
Practical guides for people in the UK and Europe. The focus is on everyday needs during disruption: drinking water, food, warmth, communication and knowing when to get help.
Recent articles
Power banks for outages: Nitecore Gen4 vs UGREEN Nexode
Compare the Nitecore NB10000 Gen4 and UGREEN Nexode 12,000mAh for phone backup, carrying weight, USB compatibility and occasional laptop charging.
Read article4 min readPanasonic RF-P50D or Sony ICF-P27: choosing a battery radio
Compare two compact FM/AM radios for a UK household kit, including tuning, batteries, listening habits and what to check before buying.
Read article4 min readKahtoola NANOspikes vs Yaktrax Walk: ice grips for ordinary UK journeys
Compare carbide spikes and steel coils, shoe fit, handling and route limitations before buying urban winter ice grips.
Read article4 min readYour first hour of household emergency planning
A practical first-hour plan for people beginning to prepare for UK household disruption.
Read article2 min readSea to Summit Pack Tap or MSR Dromedary 4L water carrier?
Compare two four-litre carriers whose manufacturers confirm drinking-water use, with tap-versus-cap handling, filled weight and household planning checks.
Read article4 min readOXO or Kuhn Rikon manual tin opener for a household emergency kit?
Compare the OXO Soft-Handled Can Opener and Kuhn Rikon Auto Safety Master Opener by mechanism, handling and the tins your household uses.
Read article4 min readPetzl Tikkina or Black Diamond Astro 300 for household use?
Compare two 300-lumen headtorches by controls, battery options and practical home tasks rather than maximum brightness alone.
Read article4 min readHow to check flood risk before buying emergency equipment
A flood map is a starting point for decisions, not a promise about what will happen at your front door.
Read article2 min readLifesystems Trek or Adventurer first aid kit for home and a day bag?
Compare the actual size and contents of Lifesystems Trek and Adventurer kits, then identify household gaps, storage and replenishment needs.
Read article4 min readEU 72-hour preparedness: a starting point, not a universal limit
A three-day household plan is a manageable place to begin.
Read article2 min read