Be Ready and backup power: what UK households need to know

It is a question that has been coming up more often in conversations with our customers, particularly following the recent storms and the government's Be Ready campaign.

At Equip2clean, a family-run equipment business based in Knowsley, we have seen increased interest in generators from people thinking about backup power for their homes. Some customers have specifically mentioned concerns about power cuts and the government's preparedness messaging.

However, being prepared does not automatically mean buying a generator. Understanding the official advice, considering your household's needs and knowing how to use any equipment safely are more important than rushing into a purchase.

What is the government's Be Ready campaign?

The UK government launched its updated Be Ready campaign on 22 October 2026, encouraging households to take practical steps to prepare for disruption to everyday services, including electricity, water, phones and the internet.

According to the Cabinet Office's official announcement, this is the first stage of a three-year campaign, with further social media and radio advertising planned over the coming weeks and months.

The focus is on manageable preparations, including free and low-cost actions. It builds on household resilience advice previously available through the government's Prepare website, rather than introducing an entirely new approach to emergency planning.

What does the Be Ready checklist recommend?

The central recommendation is to prepare for three days of disruption, choosing steps that suit your household and building up gradually. The official checklist groups its advice into three broad areas:

The guidance encourages people to check what they already have, spread any purchases over time and consider how neighbours could support one another. Eligible households can also register for extra help through the Priority Services Register.

Does the government recommend buying a generator?

Why are more customers thinking about backup power?

Our view is that several factors may be contributing, rather than a single event explaining the change. Here is how the last few weeks have played out:

1. 20 October

   Storm Austen is named. The Met Office warnings included the possibility of power cuts, giving people a clear reason to think about how they would cope without electricity.

2. 22 October

   Be Ready launches. Some customers speaking to our team have mentioned the campaign and asked about keeping essential appliances, particularly fridges and freezers, running during an outage. These are individual conversations, not evidence that every buyer is responding to it.

3. 1 November

   Our Black Friday sale begins. Promotions influence when people buy. The sale may have encouraged customers who were already considering backup power to purchase, so it would be misleading to put all later demand down to storms or government messaging.

The timing suggests these influences could be working together. It does not tell us exactly how much each one matters.

What we are seeing at Equip2clean

Our Shopify reporting shows a clear change in generator demand in the days after Be Ready launched, before our Black Friday promotion began.

That gives us evidence of a change in demand at our own business. It does not establish a UK-wide market trend or prove that the government's campaign caused the increase. Other factors, including advertising, product availability and individual purchasing decisions, may also have contributed.

For us, the useful insight is the question behind some of those enquiries: "How would we keep the essentials running if we lost power?" Our responsibility is to help customers understand their options, including when a generator may not be necessary or suitable.

Does Be Ready mean widespread power cuts are expected?

Neither the campaign nor an increase in generator sales should be treated as evidence of an imminent nationwide blackout. The practical purpose of preparation is to make disruption easier to manage should it happen.

Should you buy a generator for home backup power?

Not every household needs one. Start by identifying what you would actually need during an outage, rather than choosing equipment because it is attracting attention. Work through these questions first:

1. What actually needs power?

   Keeping a phone charged is a very different requirement from running a fridge freezer or several appliances. A power bank may cover the first; the second is where a generator comes into the conversation.

2. For how long?

   A few hours of outage is a different problem from three days. Run time and fuel storage both matter.

3. Do you have a safe outdoor location?

   Fuel-powered generators must run outdoors, well away from doors, windows and vents. If you have nowhere suitable, a generator is not the right answer.

4. Is the capacity right for your appliances?

   A generator has a limited output, and connecting more than it can support can damage appliances or create hazards. Do not assume a portable unit will power your whole home. Ask for advice on capacity and compatibility.

Essential generator safety advice

Backup power should help you manage disruption, not introduce a new risk.

The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland's generator safety guidance explains the main carbon monoxide, electrical and fire precautions in more detail.