From the year to April 2025, there were an average of 24,800 searches a month for Survival Kit, and 1350 related keywords such as Bug Out Bag, Emergency Kit, and Survival Tools – the highest in the country.
The research, by LSS, also found Birmingham came second with 9,590, followed by Manchester, Leeds, and Bristol with 7,490, 7,030, and 6,610 respectively.
| Searches for Survival Kit and 1350 related keywords - May 24 - Apr 25 | |
| Location | May 24 - Apr 25 |
| London | 24,800 |
| Birmingham | 9,590 |
| Manchester | 7,490 |
| Leeds | 7,030 |
| Bristol | 6,610 |
Across the UK, over the past year, searches for Survival Kit have rocketed 236%.
To further see how prepared people are for a zombie apocalypse, LSS sent a Freedom of Information request to councils across the UK, revealing no one had plans for an undead attack!
However, the London Borough of Hackney did say:
“Hackney seeks to be a welcoming place to all individuals, and whilst we do prepare extensively for a range of civil emergencies, we do not currently prepare for potential extraterrestrial visits to our wonderful Borough."
Gary Noble, from LSS, said the findings, while fun, suggest a healthy mentality from the general public when it comes to staying safe.
“A zombie apocalypse, while great on screen, in books, and in video games, would be a disaster for humanity, and thankfully, will never happen.
“While the results are a bit tongue in cheek, it’s great to see people taking serious steps to protect themselves though, should an emergency happen.
“Having a survival kit, food supplies, medical supplies, and even a bug out bag in case you need to dash quickly, are all smart things to have on hand.
“While you might not need them to escape a zombie horde, they’re great to have in case of an injury, a power cut, or an emergency last minute trip to support a loved one.”
What should you have in a Bug Out Bag?
- Torch and spare batteries: If the power goes out, you’ll be glad you’re not fumbling about in the dark. Head torches are even better as they keep your hands free.
- First aid kit: Plasters, bandages, painkillers, if you or someone else gets a knock, you’ll want this close by.
- Bottled water: Two litres per person, minimum. You can live without a lot of things for a bit, water’s not one of them.
- Snacks that last: Think protein bars, nuts, that sort of thing. Not a roast dinner, just something to keep you ticking over if you’re stuck for a while. Also keep an eye on the expiry date. While they will last, they won’t last forever!
- Phone charger (battery pack): No power, no phone, and no phone means no help, no updates, no nothing. A fully charged power bank is a lifesaver.