Seven vital items you need to stockpile after 'Russia threat' - full list

Seven vital items you need to stockpile after 'Russia threat' - full list A soldier has explained the basic kit we should all keep at home, from food and water to a simple plastic bottle A former British Army soldier has urged households to prepare for a potential emergency by keeping seven everyday items in their homes, including a plastic bottle that can be useful in a power cut. The warning comes after defence expert Professor Michael Clarke revealed three ways Russia could attack Britain, including a cyberattack that could leave part of the country without electricity. Paul Evans, a former British Army soldier from private investigation firm I-Spy Detectives, says that one thing drilled into soldiers is the importance of being prepared for emergencies before they happen. According to the expert, having a few common items, including an ordinary plastic bottle, could make a huge difference. Paul said: "It's better to be prepared than to act as the situation is happening. I'm not suggesting that people should panic and spend hundreds on survival equipment, but there are a few items every household should have." One mistake people make is relying on their mobile phone's torch in an emergency, this can drain the battery quickly and often doesn't give off enough light to keep the whole room illuminated. Paul said: "Keep your phone for contacting relatives or calling for help. Instead of draining the battery when using it as a torch, get a cheap torch from the supermarket, along with a plastic bottle. "From here, you can fill the bottle with water and then place your torch underneath it. The water will help to spread the light around the room, which can stop you from falling over, and it can be useful if you have small children who are frightened of the dark." According to the expert, you should also have: - Enough drinking water to last three days. - Food that doesn't need cooking. - A fully charged power bank. - A battery-powered radio. - A small first aid kit. - £20-£30 in cash. Paul said: "You don't have to be a prepper to survive an emergency incident, having the above will see you through for a few days if the worst were to happen." For a family of four, you should have around 36 litres of water so that each person can have around 3 litres of water a day. You should also think about storing more water for cooking and hygiene too. Food that doesn't require cooking is also useful, as in an extended power cut you may not be able to use your oven or microwave. Tinned fruits, crackers, and cereal bars can all be eaten safely when there is no power. A power bank can be useful if the grid goes down, as it can be used to power essentials in the home. Paul said: "You should check your power bank every month to make sure it has a charge. There is no point having one in the drawer if it's flat when you need it." A battery-powered or wind-up radio can be useful in an emergency, so you can access important information that you may not otherwise be able to get. Finally, the expert says that keeping a small amount of cash available can help if electricity or internet services are disrupted. If this were to happen, card machines and cashpoints could stop working, which would make it difficult for you to get food or anything else that you need. Paul said: "Spend half an hour over the next few days to see which of these items you have at home, you probably have more of them than you would expect."