--- title: How your motorhome could help in an emergency description: From a power cut to an unexpected evacuation, a well prepared motorhome can give you another useful option when everyday life is disrupted. image: https://camperbuyer.com/hubfs/shelter_and_warmth.jpg --- Explore our world [![facebookmobile (Custom)](https://camperbuyer.com/hs-fs/hubfs/facebookmobile%20(Custom).png?width=26&height=26&name=facebookmobile%20(Custom).png)](https://www.facebook.com/camperbuyercom/) [![instgrammobile (Custom)](https://camperbuyer.com/hs-fs/hubfs/instgrammobile%20(Custom).png?width=26&height=26&name=instgrammobile%20(Custom).png)](https://www.instagram.com/camperbuyer) [![twittermobile (Custom)](https://camperbuyer.com/hs-fs/hubfs/twittermobile%20(Custom).png?width=26&height=26&name=twittermobile%20(Custom).png)](https://twitter.com/camperbuyer) [![Youtube](https://camperbuyer.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image%20(28).jpg?width=26&height=26&name=image%20(28).jpg)](https://www.youtube.com/@CamperBuyer) Contact us on [0800 975 2931](tel://+440800%20975%202931) ## [![](https://camperbuyer.com/hubfs/logo_top_blue_1%206a97bb_188x188.png) camperbuyer.com The UK’s largest buyer of motorhomes](https://camperbuyer.com) - [How it works](https://camperbuyer.com/how_it_works) - [Reviews](https://camperbuyer.com/testimonials) - [FAQ’s](https://camperbuyer.com/faqs) - [The Lounge](https://camperbuyer.com/blog) - [Woodgreen Charity](https://camperbuyer.com/woodgreen) - [Contact Us](https://camperbuyer.com/contact-us) ## [![](https://camperbuyer.com/hubfs/logo_top_blue_1%206a97bb_188x188.png) camperbuyer.com The UK’s largest buyer of motorhomes](https://camperbuyer.com) Toggle navigation - [Home](https://camperbuyer.com) - [FREE Valuation](https://camperbuyer.com/camper-valuation) - [How it works](https://camperbuyer.com/process) - [Feedback](https://camperbuyer.com/feedback) - [FAQ's](https://camperbuyer.com/faqs) - [The Lounge](https://camperbuyer.com/blog) - [Contact us](https://camperbuyer.com/contact-us) - [Woodgreen Pets Charity](https://camperbuyer.com/charity) [![facebookmobile (Custom)](https://camperbuyer.com/hs-fs/hubfs/facebookmobile%20(Custom).png?width=26&height=26&name=facebookmobile%20(Custom).png)](https://www.facebook.com/camperbuyercom/) [![twittermobile (Custom)](https://camperbuyer.com/hs-fs/hubfs/twittermobile%20(Custom).png?width=26&height=26&name=twittermobile%20(Custom).png)](https://twitter.com/camperbuyer) [![instgrammobile (Custom)](https://camperbuyer.com/hs-fs/hubfs/instgrammobile%20(Custom).png?width=26&height=26&name=instgrammobile%20(Custom).png)](https://www.instagram.com/camperbuyer) [![youtube](https://camperbuyer.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image%20(27).jpg?width=26&height=26&name=image%20(27).jpg)](https://www.youtube.com/@CamperBuyer) ![The easiest way to sell your campervan](https://camperbuyer.com/hs-fs/hubfs/smallbanner.jpg?width=952&height=181&name=smallbanner.jpg) Sell your campervan quickly and securely [Request a FREE Campervan Valuation ▶︎](https://camperbuyer.com/valuationform) Genuine online or verbal offer to purchase Excellent prices offered and paid No admin fees or hidden charges Friendly professional, no hassle service Instant cash or faster payment bank transfer ![camper](https://camperbuyer.com/hs-fs/hubfs/motorhomemobile2.png?width=500&height=269&name=motorhomemobile2.png) [VALUE MY MOTORHOME](https://27011453.hs-sites-eu1.com/camper-valuation?hsLang=en) Nov 14, 2026, 4:29:39 PM # How your motorhome could help in an emergency ![Picture of Siobhán Kelly](https://camperbuyer.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Siobh%C3%A1n%20Kelly.png?width=50&name=Siobh%C3%A1n%20Kelly.png) [Siobhán Kelly](https://camperbuyer.com/blog/author/siobhán-kelly) ![Featured Image](https://camperbuyer.com/hubfs/shelter_and_warmth.jpg) [Back to blogs](https://camperbuyer.com/blog) Share this post: [mailto:?body=https://camperbuyer.com/blog/how-your-motorhome-could-help-in-an-emergency](mailto:?body=https://camperbuyer.com/blog/how-your-motorhome-could-help-in-an-emergency) When a power cut leaves your house cold and dark, the motorhome on your drive might suddenly look rather appealing. Depending on how it is equipped, you could have lights, a bed, a toilet and a way to make a hot meal, even when the electricity at home is off.   The government is encouraging households to prepare for **three days of disruption**, and many motorhome owners already have a head start. That does not mean you should automatically leave home or that a motorhome is safe in every emergency. It does mean the vehicle you bought for holidays could be useful at other times too.   Why is the government asking people to prepare?   In October 2026, the government launched its [Be Ready campaign](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/households-encouraged-to-take-small-simple-steps-to-stay-prepared-in-an-emergency), encouraging households to think about what they would need if services such as electricity, water or communications were disrupted. Severe weather, flooding and power cuts are the sort of situations the advice is designed to help with.   The idea is to take a few sensible steps, not empty the supermarket shelves or assume a disaster is around the corner. Three days is a starting point for your plans, not a promise that every emergency will be over by then. ![shelter\_and\_warmth](https://camperbuyer.com/hs-fs/hubfs/shelter_and_warmth.jpg?width=2304&height=1536&name=shelter_and_warmth.jpg) Why a motorhome can be useful in an emergency   A motorhome brings several useful things together in one place. You may already have a leisure battery for lighting and charging, a gas supply for cooking, a fresh water tank, a toilet and somewhere to sleep. If it is safe to stay in the vehicle, those comforts could make a difficult few days more manageable.   There is also the option of travelling to a safe place if you need to leave home and the route is clear. After all, most of us would rather arrive at a friend’s house with our own bed than ring their doorbell at midnight and ask where they keep the spare duvet. But check the situation before setting off: sometimes the safest choice is to stay put.   Should you stay at home or leave?   **Follow the advice for the emergency you are facing.** If the authorities tell you to stay indoors, do not head out to the motorhome just because it has a better biscuit supply. In some incidents, including certain chemical or radiation emergencies, the advice may be to shelter inside a building.   If you are told to evacuate, leave as directed. Your motorhome may be useful if it is accessible and the journey is safe, but do not delay leaving or put yourself at risk to reach it. Have another plan in case the vehicle is in storage, the roads are closed or the motorhome itself is in danger.   Flooding deserves particular care. Move the vehicle to higher ground only if it is safe to do so, and **never drive through floodwater**. The [government’s flood advice](https://www.gov.uk/help-during-flood) explains what to do before and during a flood. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999. ![charging\_a\_phone](https://camperbuyer.com/hs-fs/hubfs/charging_a_phone.jpg?width=2304&height=1536&name=charging_a_phone.jpg) How solar panels and leisure batteries can help   A charged leisure battery can keep some of your motorhome’s equipment working without an electrical connection. Depending on your setup, that might include lights, water pumps, phone charging and the controls or fan for your heating. Solar panels can help replenish the battery during daylight.   That is a useful combination, but it is worth knowing its limits before you need it. Solar panels produce less electricity in cloud, shade and winter conditions. Even a lithium battery can run low, and some lithium batteries have restrictions on charging in cold temperatures. Check the instructions for your own equipment.   A **12 volt battery does not automatically power your 230 volt sockets**. You may need a correctly installed inverter, and demanding appliances such as electric heaters and kettles can drain a battery quickly. Do not improvise a connection between your motorhome and your house wiring; speak to a qualified electrician about any suitable installation.   A good test is to spend a day and night using the motorhome without its usual electrical connection, somewhere safe. Use the lights, heating and other equipment as you normally would, then check how much battery charge remains. It is a much nicer thing to discover on a quiet weekend than in the middle of a power cut.   What to keep in your motorhome emergency kit   You do not need to buy everything in one go. Start with what you already have, then add the things your household would struggle without. The [government’s emergency checklist](https://beready.campaign.gov.uk/be-ready-for-emergencies/) is a useful place to begin.   For a motorhome, consider keeping the following where they are secure, easy to find and suitable for the storage conditions:   • **Drinking water:** Sealed bottled water, with extra for cooking, washing and pets. • **Food:** Three days of food you enjoy that does not need refrigeration or cooking, such as tinned food, crackers, nuts and dried fruit. Pack a manual tin opener. • **Light:** A torch and spare batteries. A head torch can be especially handy if you need both hands. • **Information and charging:** A battery or wind up FM radio, spare batteries, a charged power bank and the right phone cables. Write down local radio frequencies and important phone numbers. • **Warmth:** Blankets, sleeping bags, warm clothes and sturdy footwear. Your normal motorhome bedding may already cover some of this. • **First aid and medicines:** A first aid kit, essential medical supplies and a written list of medicines and doses. Keep medicines at their recommended storage temperature and somewhere accessible, rather than leaving them in a hot or freezing vehicle. • **Hygiene:** Toilet roll, hand sanitiser, soap, wipes, bin bags and any products your household regularly uses. • **Money and information:** Some cash in notes and coins, cards, insurance details, emergency contacts and copies of important documents. Keep sensitive information secure. • **Children and pets:** Nappies, wipes, suitable food and water, any medicines, a lead or carrier and other familiar essentials. For babies who need formula, ready to feed formula is useful if clean water or a way to boil it is unavailable. • **Vehicle essentials:** Your motorhome keys, breakdown details, a phone charger and any equipment you would normally need to deal with a breakdown. ![packing\_a\_grab\_bag](https://camperbuyer.com/hs-fs/hubfs/packing_a_grab_bag.jpg?width=2304&height=1536&name=packing_a_grab_bag.jpg) Think about where you keep the kit. A motorhome locked away at a storage facility is not much help if you cannot reach it, so keep a household emergency kit at home as well. A small bag of essentials that you can take with you is useful, whether you leave by motorhome or another way.   How much water should you store?   The government recommends **three litres of bottled drinking water per person per day** for three days. That is nine litres for one person, or 18 litres for two people, before you add water for cooking, washing or pets.   Your motorhome’s fresh water tank can be useful, but do not assume the water in a tank that has been standing for months is ready to drink. Clean and maintain the system according to its instructions, fill it from a safe drinking water supply and keep some sealed bottled water as a separate reserve. Follow local water safety notices if the supply is affected.   If you normally drain the water system to protect it from frost, do not leave it full over winter just in case. Our guide to [preparing your motorhome for winter storage](https://camperbuyer.com/blog/preparing-your-motorhome-for-winter-hibernation) covers some of the checks worth making. Keep your bottled water somewhere suitable and protected from freezing.   Water is heavy: 18 litres weighs approximately 18 kg. Add it to your passengers, luggage, fuel and other supplies, and check that you remain within the motorhome’s permitted total and axle weights before travelling. A weighbridge can help if you are unsure. ![storing\_drinking\_water](https://camperbuyer.com/hs-fs/hubfs/storing_drinking_water.jpg?width=2304&height=1536&name=storing_drinking_water.jpg) Cooking, heating and toilet facilities   If your motorhome has a properly installed and maintained gas cooker, it could give you a way to make a hot meal when the electricity is off. Check your gas supply and learn how your particular appliances work before you need them. Some heating systems also need battery power to run.   Your onboard toilet is another useful comfort if the water supply at home is interrupted. Make sure you have toilet paper and any supplies your system needs, and know where you can empty the cassette or waste tank safely. Disposal facilities may also be affected during an emergency, so it helps to have a plan rather than assuming your usual stop will be open.   Keep the motorhome safe to use   Fit and regularly test a smoke alarm and an audible carbon monoxide alarm suitable for a motorhome. Never block fixed ventilation, use the cooker to heat the vehicle or bring a barbecue inside the motorhome or its awning, even if it has finished cooking. [Humberside Fire and Rescue](https://humbersidefire.gov.uk/your-safety/safety-in-the-home-advice/caravan-motor-home-and-campervan-safety) has useful advice for motorhome owners.   Only use heating and cooking appliances as intended, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Run portable generators outdoors only, never inside the motorhome or an awning, and keep them away from doors, windows and vents where exhaust fumes could enter any building or vehicle. Have gas and electrical systems checked by a competent professional who understands leisure vehicles.   Carbon monoxide has no smell. If an alarm sounds or you suspect exposure, get everyone, including pets, into fresh air and do not go back inside until it is safe. Stop the suspected appliance only if you can do so safely. The [NHS advice on carbon monoxide poisoning](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/carbon-monoxide-poisoning/) explains when to seek medical help. In a fire, get out, stay out and call 999. ![pets\_in\_an\_emergency](https://camperbuyer.com/hs-fs/hubfs/pets_in_an_emergency.jpg?width=2304&height=1536&name=pets_in_an_emergency.jpg) Make a plan before you need it   Keep a reasonable amount of fuel in the tank if you can, rather than leaving it almost empty between trips. Make sure the motorhome is insured, taxed and has a valid MOT when required if you intend to use it on the road. Decide where you could go, check whether you have permission to stay there and agree how you will contact or meet the rest of your household.   Do not count on your phone having a signal or a campsite having space and power. A battery or wind up radio, written contact numbers and a second place to go are all worth having. Check your kit roughly every six months, replacing anything that is out of date and adapting it as your needs change.   If anyone in your household relies on powered medical equipment, speak to their clinical team or equipment provider about a specific plan for a power cut. Do not assume the motorhome battery will safely run the equipment for as long as needed. Eligible households can also register for extra support through the [Priority Services Register](https://www.thepsr.co.uk/); in Northern Ireland, the equivalent arrangements are called [Care Registers](https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/care-registers).   A little preparation goes a long way   Your motorhome is not a magic solution to every emergency. It can, however, provide a comfortable and useful extra option when circumstances allow. A bit of planning now will help you work out what it can do, what it cannot do and where the torch has actually been put.   Check your supplies, test your equipment and make a simple household plan. 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