Prepping for the end of the world? Here's what scientists say you REALLY need - as ministers urge Britons to start national crisis 'emergency kits'

Experts suggest items that were not included in the government's 'preppers' list Have you started stockpiling? Email [email protected]

Britons have been urged to 'prepare for an emergency' by stockpiling essentials in case they can't leave their home.

On a new government website, a 'household emergency plan' reveals a list of 'emergency supplies' such as bottled water, wet wipes and non-perishable food.

But according to scientists, the list omits some important items that could aid survival in the event of flooding, fires, a new health pandemic or even nuclear war.

Robert Handfield, a professor of supply chain management at North Carolina State University, said households could also do with a gas-powered generator.

This could be used as a backup power source for homes during power outages in the event of a severe weather event, for example.

On a new government website, a 'household emergency plan' reveals a list of 'emergency supplies' such as bottled water, wet wipes and non-perishable food. But according to scientists, the list omits some important items

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Gas-powered generators use a gas combustion engine – meaning users would have to feed theirs natural gas or liquid propane as a fuel source.

'We are subject to strong storms and flooding, and electricity is a fundamental need,' Professor Handfield told MailOnline.

Another item that could come in handy is a chainsaw – although not for the purpose of self-defence in the case of some sort of societal breakdown as you might initially think.

'Some people often carry a chain saw if you are in a neighborhood with a lot of trees,' Professor Handfield added.

'If they fall onto your home, it’s important to get them off.'

In the case of a pandemic or a scenario requiring protection from smoke, he recommends an N95 face mask, which is better at filtering out airborne particles than surgical masks or cloth face coverings.

On a less hopeful note, Professor Alan Robock, a climatologist at Rutgers University, said if there is a nuclear war 'there is nothing that can be done to prepare for it'.

'The only solution is to rid the world of nuclear weapons,' he told MailOnline.

According to scientists, the government's list of essentials needed in an emergency omits some important items that could aid survival such as flooding. Pictured, a flooded pub earlier this year in Croscombe, Somerset

Catastrophic events could leave people trapped inside their homes. Pictured, wildfire in Maricopa County, Arizona, May 19, 2024

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The government's new website, prepare.campaign.gov.uk, aims to make sure people are aware of the risks in their local area so they can plan appropriately.

The site links to a printable 'household emergency plan' that includes its list of 'emergency supplies' such as bottled water, a wind-up torch, wet wipes, non-perishable food, a first aid kit and spare batteries.

One of the most-notable omissions from the government's list was toilet paper, possibly to avoid another shortage as seen during the Covid era, although wet wipes could make a more versatile substitute.

However, Brits are urged against panic-buying such items, which could lead to shelves quickly emptying, as triggered by Covid four years ago.

Ben Kerrane, an expert in consumer behaviour at Manchester Metropolitan University, was one of around 20 academics who helped the government compile the list.

'People need to start gathering things slowly and incrementally, if they can,' he told MailOnline.

On a new government website, a 'household emergency plan' that includes a list of 'emergency supplies' such as bottled water, wet wipes and non-perishable food

Empty shelves where toilet roll is usually stocked in an Asda store in Clapham Junction, London, March 7, 2020

The government also advises people to 'consider what supplies you and your household might need during an emergency lasting a few days'.

The initiative was spearheaded by Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden, who has been inspired by similar preparations in countries such as Finland.

The Nordic country expects households to be able to cope for 72 hours in situations where 'society's services are disrupted or even discontinued'.

Finns are encouraged to stockpile food and water and be prepared to 'shelter indoors' by taping up gaps in windows and 'waiting calmly for instructions' on the radio.

Mr Dowden has previously introduced an 'emergency alert' system, which allows authorities to trigger an alarm on millions of mobile phones to inform people of a potential crisis.