As UK told to 'prepare for war' households urged to stockpile these items as 'sensible precaution'
With warnings from the government that the UK should now be on a 'war footing', households should be looking to ensure they have a supply of items which could see them through power cuts, cyber attacks and threats on our infrastructure.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is to address the NATO summit in the Netherlands today (June 25) a day after the National Security Strategy said Brits must now ' actively prepare' for war. It said that the years ahead will test the nation and that a World War Two-style spirit would be needed to deal with growing threats.
The chilling warning will focus the minds of many people to prepare for, not only possible war but biological threats and grey zone attacks where the country could face drone attacks and internet outages and interruption to food supplies.
Weather events such as flooding can also cause disruption to daily lives.
It's recommended that in preparation, households should stockpile, but not panic buy, items which will serve as an at home emergency kit.
Following widespread power cuts in Spain and Portugal in April, Martin Lewis appeared on This Morning and said having certain items at home was a 'sensible precaution'.
He said making sure there is "a torch and some spare batteries in your house, because we get power cuts for normal reasons – floods and weather incidents, a bit of tinned food, a little bit of water always kept stocked up is useful."
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He also suggested having a wind up radio and a power bank fully charged in your house.
Knowing where to start to build a kit can be overwhelming, but items such as batteries, tinned food and nappies should all be available in the event of any disruption to normal life. Many families are already working at building up emergency kits for the home to give them peace of mind.
Rather than buying all items at once, they can be built up over time if cost is an issue.
Here's a guide to a basic emergency kit, which should be all stored in one, easily accessible place, with links to buy items based on British Red Cross and the UK Government's advice. All items are available from Amazon.
Power and Lighting cuts
In the event of power cuts households should have:
A wind up torch - Xiaodib Portable Wind Up Torch, £8.99. Doesn't need batteries
Power bank - this fast charging one from Amazon has 3 outputs and 2 inputs for smartphones. £12.99.
Wind up radio - Wind Up Solar Radio has the added benefit of also having an LED torch, £27.99.
Batteries - Amazon Basics 108-Pack Alkaline Battery Super Value Pack has AA, AAA as well as C&D. £24.71.
Medical supplies
A first aid kit is something all households should have as well as hand sanitiser and wet wipes in case of water shortages.
First aid kit - the General Medi 210 Piece First Aid Kit- Emergency kit is £15.29. Includes a cold pack and emergency blanket.
Hand sanitiser gel - 6 x 500ml Hand Sanitiser 70% Alcohol Gel, £15.99.
Wet wipes - Comfy Life Premium Full Body Cleansing Wet Wipes For Adults (80 wipes), £8.75.
Food and water
A supply of bottled water and tinned food is recommended in the even of disruption and don't forget your furry houeholders too.
Bottled water - Still spring water, 500ml pack of 72 bottles, £11.88.
Tinned food - MSC Skipjack Tuna Chunks, 4 x 145g, £3.13, Hertford Fine Foods Corned Beef, 12 x 340g, £33.20. Baxters Favourites Highlanders Beef Broth ready to eat tinned soup, 6 x 400g, £11.40.
Tin opener - Lychico 3-in-1Can Opener, £4.99 at.
Dog and cat food - £11.86. FELIX ORIGINAL Fish Favourites in Jelly Wet Cat Food 40x85g, £10.45.
Babies and children
A stock of nappies and milk formula for babies is advised. Your choices will be based on the age and stage of your child.
Nappies - Pampers Harmonie Nappies, 204 nappies, size 2, £36.10.
Baby formula - Little Steps by SMA Formula First Infant Milk From Birth, 800g, £7.95
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