I’m an expert prepper — here’s what the government’s stockpiling list misses

Darren is the founder and editor of UK Prepper Hub (Picture: Supplied)

Earlier this year, the UK government released a set of guidelines in case of nationwide emergencies like severe weather events and cyber attacks.

Urging Brits to prepare for up to 72 hours without power or internet, the Be Ready campaign features advice on staying informed and accessing support, alongside a list of essential supplies to stock up on.

As well as tinned food, hygiene products and 3 litres of bottled drinking water per person per day, it also recommends households have the likes of a torch, a battery-powered or wind up radio and a first aid kit on hand.

According to expert prepper Darren Rhodes, however, this doesn’t go far enough.

For 20 years, the 55-year-old founder and lead editor of UK Prepper Hub, from Cambridgeshire, has been training local authorities on emergency procedure, and recently released a book on the topic, Prepared Not Panicked.

In his opinion, ‘the government checklist is a great start, but it is only a start.’

Non-perishable food is just the start (Credits: Getty Images)

‘It’s written for a typical household, and very few households are typical,’ Darren tells Metro. ‘Depending on who lives in your home, there will be more gaps, and the list doesn’t go into any real depth on them.’

He believes people need to think beyond the basics when it comes to an emergency stash — including six additions that could make all the difference if the lights go out:

A portable toilet

While the Be Ready list includes hand sanitiser and wet wipes, it doesn’t address what happens when you can no longer flush the loo.

‘If the mains water fails, that becomes a real problem within a day,’ Darren explains.

As such, he recommends investing in a camping cassette toilet, or, as a cheaper alternative, keeping a bucket, bin bags and cat litter handy.

A way to boil water

The government’s recommended food supplies are largely made up of items that don’t require cooking, but Darren says having a way to heat water could make a ‘huge difference’ after days of cold tins.

A basic camping stove and a few gas canisters should do the trick, although it’s important to use these with plenty of ventilation.

A carbon monoxide alarm

This is one item Darren thinks people are particularly likely to overlook.

During a power cut, households might turn to alternative sources of heat and cooking, including camping stoves, heaters and generators. But carbon monoxide is odourless and colourless, making it impossible to detect without specialist kit.

‘If you add any heat source to your kit, add a battery CO alarm first,’ he says.

A carbon monoxide alarm is essential for safety but easily overlooked(Credits: Getty Images/Johner RF)

A lantern

‘A torch lights one spot and needs a hand to hold it,’ says Darren. ‘A lantern lights the whole room so you can cook, read and move around.’

So, to ensure you’re equipped to carry out everyday tasks if the electricity goes off, his advice is to have both options available.

Walkie-talkies

As Darren highlights, the government-recommended battery-powered or wind-up radio may help keep you informed, but won’t help you communicate with other people if mobile networks go down.

He says: ‘A cheap pair of licence-free walkie-talkies lets you keep in touch with a neighbour or a relative down the road.’

Water purification tablets

Last but not least, he suggests keeping some water purification tablets in your emergency kit.

‘Some purification tablets weigh almost nothing and last for years,’ Darren notes, making them an easy addition for households looking to prepare for a longer disruption to their water supply.

Of course, having the right supplies is only part of being prepared — how you acquire them is key, too.

According to Darren, one of the biggest mistakes people make is trying to buy everything at once, as it leads to empty shelves and expensive errors. Instead, he suggests households add two or three extra items to each regular supermarket shop until they’ve built up a three-day supply.

He also warns against buying equipment without testing it first in daylight, noting: ‘A torch with flat batteries, or a stove with the wrong gas, is no use at 9pm in a power cut.’

Another common pitfall is relying too heavily on technology. Darren recommends keeping important phone numbers, copies of key documents and maps on paper, alongside some cash and a battery-powered radio, in case phones or mobile networks stop working.

Finally, Darren cautions against spending a fortune on specialist prepper equipment (aka ‘gimmicks with a premium price’) or relying on candles for light, which can pose a fire risk.

Ultimately though, he wants people to understand that prepping doesn’t have to mean bunkers and doomsday scenarios — which means keeping panic to a minimum.

‘It’s a few days of the basics so a power cut or a burst main is an inconvenience, not a crisis,’ he continues. ‘If you’re already ready, you don’t need to be in the queue.’

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