Families in the United Kingdom are being asked to supply well – maintained water, canned food, and other essential supplies to prepare for emergencies amid growing worries about bad weather, cyber attacks and possible food supply cuts.
Speaking at a summit on fire resistance in Liverpool, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said people should take reasonable measures to ensure they have enough supplies at home to deal with difficult situations as storms strike parts of the country.
He said the unexpected events seem to be getting more common, adding, it’s not about buying out panic… It’s just taking reasonable measures to have enough at home to succeed if there is a difficult situation.
Government recommendations advise families to maintain enough essential supplies to last three days, including nine liters of water per person, and perishable foods, such as canned meat, vegetables and dried fruits.
The instructions also recommend keeping an FM radio with batteries or lights, a flashlight, a blanket, a first aid kit, hand disinfectant, wet napkins, toilet articles and a portable charger.
Families are also advised to keep cash if electronic payment systems fail, along with copies of important documents and essential supplies for babies and pets.
The advice comes after the National Auditing Office warned that Britain’s food supply chain faces increasing risks from cyber attacks and climate crisis, saying the Department for Environment, Food and Natural Affairs has not done enough in recent years to strengthen resistance.
However, Burnham dismissed claims that the government has failed to prepare adequately.
He stressed the need for greater public preparation amid increasingly frequent unexpected events, including bad weather and power cuts. / AA/