A new government website advising Brits how to prepare for an emergency has focused attention on the phenomenon of ‘prepping’ – and one practitioner today revealed his list of the top 10 items to stow away in the event of a disaster.
Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden wants people to make contingency plans for dealing with potential emergencies to help build ‘national resilience’ and ease pressure on emergency services.
This includes stocking up with enough food and water to survive for three days in the event of flood, alongside other precautions like establishing escape plans for fires and learning basic first aid skills.
But Justin Jones, from UK Prepping Shop in London, believes the government has acted ‘too late’ and warned the threat of wars, cyber attacks and even solar flares meant it was important to take precautions.
A prepper has revealed the top 10 items he’d recommend keeping on hand in the event of a disaster
He told MailOnline: ‘The Rambo wannabees are long gone – we now supply doctors, nurses, teachers, business leaders – even elderly ladies who remember what rationing was like.
‘Our biggest sellers are six-month freeze dried food kits that will last for 25 years and nuclear gas mask kits due to the increased risk of war.’
Below, he reveals the top 10 items he’d recommend keeping on hand in the event of a disaster.
First aid kit
One obvious item Mr Jones recommends keeping to prepare for a disaster is a first aid kit.
He warns hospitals would have to focus only on the most serious cases in the event of another incident like a pandemic, making it wise to keep some back up supplies.
Materials in a typical kit include waterproof plasters, bandages, gloves, antiseptic, tweezers, medical tape, eyewash solution and sterile dresses.
‘Lots of people neglect this, but if you get a cut and it ends up infected you won’t last for long,’ he says.
Water purification tablets
Mr Jones points to Devon’s water crisis as evidence for the need to keep a supply of water purification tablets in storage.
South West Water (SWW) had to tell customers to boil their tap water after hundreds fell ill with diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach pains.
The mystery illness was believed to be linked to cryptosporidium, a parasitic bug that causes severe stomach issues.
‘Bottled water is ok but you have to consider how long it will last,’ Mr Jones says.
Justin Jones believes the government has acted ‘too late’ and warned the threat of wars, cyber attacks and even solar flares meant it was important to take precautions
Emergency food
Disruption to food supplies caused by war or another global pandemic is top of the list for many preppers.
Mr Jones warns many Brits have become ‘too reliant on technology’ – pointing to the popularity of food delivery services like Deliveroo.
The shop owner recommends keeping long life food in the house as a precaution.
‘This could be short term tinned food that easy to heat in the can if you need to or longer term freeze-dried meals, allowing for pets and babies too,’ he says.
Energy bars
While long-life supplies are useful to have, they can take time to prepare and be less useful on the road, Mr Jones says.
‘Energy bars will let you take on calories fast when you need it, and mean you don’t only have to rely on long-term meal plans that need to be heated.’
Generator
Portable generators can be used to keep appliances running in the event of a power outage.
Mr Jones says one of the most essential appliances to keep going is a fridge or freezer for storing food.
But he adds: ‘Many freezers will stay frozen for between 24 and 48 hours as long as they are full and the lid is closed.’
LED flashlight
A power cut during the long nights of winter would make movement difficult, but typical torches often require a lot of batteries to keep running.
Wind-up torches are one option, although Mr Jones believes LED flashlights are another good alternative.
‘If the lights go out, a good one of these can last for days with the batteries on a low setting,’ he says.
Multi band radio
The sudden outbreak of a war or natural disaster is often characterised by confusion – which can lead to mistakes.
Keeping a portable radio at home will allow you to keep in touch with the outside world, including hearing crucial updates from the government.
‘You’ll need a decent multi band receiver to listen to worldwide announcements and a stash of batteries,’ Mr Jones says.
Heavy wool blankets
Lots of us will have memories of shivering our way through a boiler fault, so a supply of proper blankets is a must.
Many emergency kits contain foil blankets or other high-tech equivalents, but Mr Jones opts for a traditional woolen one.
‘These are essential if the heating goes down, depending on the time of the year,’ he says.
Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden has advised people to buy a list of essential items to keep at home
Gas masks
This would come in handing in case of a nuclear explosion or major bomb blast that leaves clouds of pollution in the air, according to Mr Jones.
‘If you are far enough away from the blast zone and can stay inside for the first 72 hours your chances of survival are relatively high,’ he says.
UK Prepping Shop sells a one-person nuclear survival kit – complete with a gas mask – for £565.
‘Bug out bag’ for the car
Discussions around prepping often focus on the home, but Mr Jones believes it’s worth preparing for the possibility of having to quickly leave the house.
As such, he recommends keeping a ‘bug out bag’ full of supplies in the boot of your car for use if needed.