British Prime Minister Andy Burnham advised households on Friday to keep emergency supplies at home. Speaking at a wildfire resilience summit in Liverpool, he stated that people should take sensible measures to cope during difficult situations as storms batter parts of the country.
"Unexpected events seem to be becoming more and more common," Burnham told the summit. He said the guidance was not an encouragement for panic buying, but a practical step to maintain enough items to tide residents over if a crisis arises.
Government recommendations suggest that households keep enough essential supplies to last for three days. This includes nine litres of water per person alongside non-perishable food items such as canned meat, vegetables, and dried fruit.
The official guidance also advises citizens to keep a battery-powered or wind-up FM radio, a torch, blankets, a first aid kit, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, toiletries, and a charged power bank. Families are encouraged to keep cash on hand in case electronic payment systems fail, along with copies of important documents and essential supplies for babies and pets.
The advice follows a warning from the National Audit Office. The watchdog stated that Britain’s food supply chain faces growing risks from cyberattacks and the climate crisis. It added that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs had not done enough in recent years to strengthen resilience.
Burnham rejected claims that the administration had failed to prepare adequately. He pointed to the necessity for greater public preparedness amid increasingly frequent unexpected events, including severe weather and power outages.
Sharing details of his own preparations, Burnham said he kept beans and soup in his cupboard. He also recommended Twiglets as part of personal emergency supplies.
