Emergency Essentials Every Single Mum Should Have at Home (From One Solo Mum to Another)

(There are some affiliate links in this post, if you purchase anything via the links it will cost you nothing extra but will give me a small percentage) 

I have made a video about this on my YouTube channel which you can watch just here  -

If you’re a single mum living on your own with your child, you’ll probably understand this feeling straight away – you are the only adult in the house. There’s no one else to shout for if something goes wrong, no one else to double‑check things with, and no one else to deal with an emergency if it happens at 2am.

That’s not me trying to scare you. It’s just the reality of solo parenting. (And yes it still does make me nervous too) 

I recently moved into a new house with my son, and one of the very first things on my mind was making sure we both felt safe. Not perfectly prepared for every disaster, but prepared enough that if something unexpected happened, I wouldn’t completely panic. Knowing that I am prepared with just a bag that I can grab easily. 

This post is very much written from one solo mum to another. Everything here is based on:

  • My own experience living alone with my child

  • Things I’ve slowly put in place over time

  • Brilliant suggestions from other parents in my YouTube community

You do not need to rush out and buy everything on this list. You don’t need loads of money either. This is about peace of mind, not pressure.

Fire Safety: The Absolute Basics Every Home Needs

Let’s start from with what I feel is the most important and one I feel most fearful off

Fire safety is one of those things we all know is important, but it’s easy to assume "it’ll never happen to me" – until it does.

Whether you rent or own your home, there are a few non‑negotiables that not only must you have them but you must also check them at least once a month. 

Smoke Alarms

You should have working smoke alarms in your home. I live in a rental and have two – one downstairs in the hallway and one upstairs on the landing.

I check mine once a month. It takes seconds all you have to do is press and hold the test button until it alarms and if it doesn't alarm then change the batteries. Smoke alarms give me reassurance that if something did happen while we were asleep, we’d be alerted.

If you don’t have smoke alarms:

  • Speak to your landlord or housing association

  • Or contact your local fire station (many give them out for free)

Carbon Monoxide Alarm

This is another must‑have, especially if you have gas appliances.

Ours is in the kitchen, and knowing it’s there gives me peace of mind. Carbon monoxide is scary because you can’t see or smell it, so an alarm really can be life‑saving. Again this is simple to test just hold the test button down until it alarms just like the smoke alarm. 

Fire Extinguishers (You Don’t Need Huge Ones)

You don’t need massive industrial fire extinguishers. I’ve gone for smaller ones that are easy to use.

I have two fire extinguishers:

  • One downstairs

  • One upstairs

Remember the goal isn’t to fight a huge fire – it’s to give yourself a chance to get out safely. Many people have one fire extinguisher downstairs however for me and my peace of mind having one upstairs in case we are trapped can help us escape a little easier.

You can get home fire extinguishers from Amazon here are the fire extinguisher I have

Fire Blanket

This was suggested by someone in my community and honestly, it’s such a good shout. Fire blankets are great for kitchen fires and don’t take up much space. They are great to keep under the kitchen sink or even attach to the cupboard door under the sink to grab easily. They are relatively inexpensive and you can get the fire blankets from Amazon

A Simple Fire Exit Plan

This is something we’re now practising at home.

It doesn’t need to be complicated. Just:

  • How do we get out if we’re upstairs?

  • How do we get out if we’re downstairs?

  • Where do we meet outside?

Turning it into a calm conversation (or even a game) helps kids feel confident rather than scared. It is an important conversation to have with children but in a way to not scare them. 

Home Security When You’re the Only Adult

Living alone with a child means home security feels extra important. Not just when you have your child/children with you but also for those nights when you are on your own feeling safe then is just as important. 

Door and Window Locks

I regularly check that all locks are working properly – front door, back door, windows, everything.

A sticky lock doesn’t sound like a big deal until it is.

If you can, adding a door latch is another simple layer of security, especially when answering the door.

Ring Doorbell / Smart Doorbell

One of the best things I’ve added is a smart doorbell.

It means:

  • I can see who’s at the door before opening it

  • I don’t feel pressured to answer

  • I can talk to people without answering the door.

  • Footage is saved just in case I ever need it

For me, it’s been a huge confidence booster. I managed to get a great deal on mine at only £16.99 however even at full price it is still inexpensive. I got my ring doorbell from Amazon 

Outdoor Lighting

Motion‑sensor lights are great, especially out the front. They’re a deterrent and also practical when you’re coming home in the dark. I currently have a front porch light which always startles people but having this light as well as the ring doorbell means I have extra safety. 

I’m planning to add one at the back too – not because I’m paranoid, but because it’s a simple extra step.

Spare Keys

Give a spare key to one person you trust completely.

If something happens to you when your child is not there and the door is locked you will need someone to be able to get into your property to help. 

Personal Safety: Little Things

That Make a Big Difference

As a Solo Mum to one who co-parents my personal safety when my son is not with me is just as important as when he is with me. There are a few things that I do when my son is with me but also when he is not with me these things include. 

Keep Your Phone Charged

Before bed, I make sure my phone is charged. If something happens overnight, it’s your lifeline. It doesn’t need to be charged overnight and actually I recommend you don’t as you don’t want to be pulling out chargers in an emergency in the night but have it fully charged where you can grab it easily.  

Power Banks

I keep power banks:

  • In my bag

  • At home

  • In my grab bag

Every month they are checked to ensure there is plenty of battery in them. They’re no use if they’re flat, so I check them and charge them monthly.

The Grab Bag (Honestly One of the Best Ideas)

A grab bag is exactly what it sounds like – something you can grab quickly if you need to leave the house.

I use a rucksack because I can put it on my back and still hold my son’s hand.

Inside my grab bag are my essentials we will need in case of an emergency:

  • Passports and important documents

  • Emergency contact numbers

  • Power bank and charger

  • Basic first aid kit

  • Medication (prescribed and unprescribed) 

  • Snacks and drinks

  • Spare clothes

  • Torch and batteries

I didn’t buy everything at once. I used what we already had and slowly added to it. You can purchase most of these items in your local bargain store or supermarket maybe add one extra thing on your shopping list each week until you have all you need. 

Emergency Numbers

(Don’t Rely on Your Phone Alone)

We all store numbers in our phones, but how many do we actually know?

I keep a small address book with:

  • Family contacts

  • GP details

  • School number

I also have ICE (In Case of Emergency) contacts saved on my phone.

Teaching Our Kids What to Do

(Without Scaring Them)

It is a hard conversation to have with children especially if they are sensitive like mine but it is also a very important conversation to have. 

My son knows:

  • His full name

  • Our address

  • A trusted adult’s address

I’ve also started gently teaching him how to call emergency services if he ever needed to. We have turned the fire exit plan into a game we do randomly and I praise him when he gets it right. Children remember fun games if you can turn these difficult but important conversations into a game for them, this will also release anxiety over things as well. 

Teaching our children these things is not about frightening them – it’s about giving them confidence.

Power Cuts & Emergency Supplies

After experiencing a power cut, I now keep a small box in case I experience one again. In this box I keep essential things we may need in a power cut. In this box these things include:

  • Torches

  • Candles and matches

  • Batteries

  • Blankets

  • Non‑perishable snacks

If you struggle with anxiety or additional needs, you can register with the National Grid for extra support and updates, which has helped me massively. On that note make sure you have the National Grid number saved in your phone to call them to report or for updates. 

Extra Things Worth Thinking About

These were suggested by people in my YouTube Community:

  • Wind‑up radio

  • Emergency whistle

  • Spare cash

  • Glow sticks for kids

  • Activities for kids 

  • Taupaline and string

You don’t need everything – just what feels right for you and remember you don’t need to buy everything at once. You can buy a few things here and there until you have everything you feel you need for you and your family. 

Final Thoughts (From One Solo Mum to Another)

This isn’t about being dramatic or living in fear.

It’s about knowing that if something did happen, you wouldn’t be starting from scratch.

Take it slowly. Use what you already have. Add one thing at a time.

And remember – you’re doing an amazing job already.

If you’ve got any other ideas, please share them. Solo mums helping solo mums is what this community is all about.

Until next time 

Rachel x

Written by: Rachel Cole