Expert urges households to do 5 things now to prepare for nuclear war

War prepping expert has shared his five tips to prepare for the case of nuclear war. (Image: Getty)

With drone incursions in NATO airspace on the rise and seemingly little hope for a speedy resolution of the war in Ukraine, Western allies are increasingly considering the option of a world conflict. While no immediate threat is currently present, countries are increasing their militarisation efforts. Last month, the chairman of the UK's National Preparedness Commission, Lord Harris, said that Britain needs to be better prepared, both militarily and across society, for a widespread conflict of this nature to occur in the next few years. MI5 chief Sir Ken McCallum said that he was "struck" by the fact that "people in our military are expecting potentially widespread war in Europe within a very short time frame – three or four years."

Speaking to the Express, Sean Gold, an expert in emergency management and creator of the prepping website TruePrepper.com, which looks at preparedness for less-probable threats such as global war, has shared five key steps for people to consider.

First of all, it is important to think of logistics, which, according to Mr Gold, help to make evacuation quicker. "Place your government-suggested supplies in a bag that you can carry. Preppers call it a 'bug out bag', designed for fast evacuation with survival essentials," he says.

The second step is to add survival essentials to the kit and learn how to use them. "A lighter, water filter, tarp, and other gear that meet your basic survival needs can help you survive worst-case situations," Mr Gold adds.

Additionally, the UK Government's emergency preparedness guide recommends items such as a battery or wind-up torch, a portable power bank for your phone, spare batteries, a basic first aid kit, hand sanitiser, bottled water, and non-perishable food that does not require cooking.

Store your emergency items in a bag. (Image: Getty)

Another important step is reducing your reliance on external supply chains. In times of conflict, everyday services and goods may become disrupted or completely unavailable. Home gardens, even small ones, can supplement diets with fresh produce when shops are under pressure or transport routes are limited. Rain barrels or water collection systems provide an additional source of water. Likewise, solar panels or small generators may offer limited backup power, allowing you to charge devices or run essential equipment during outages, Mr Gold suggests.

Canned food is also essential for greater independence. The prepping community, he says, goes by the rule 'store what you eat, eat what you store'. "This not only means that you should store food that you and your family like and won't turn their nose up at, but also to rotate through your food storage - by eating it and replacing it at regular intervals. Having a variety of cans to replicate a range of meals is best, since their macro nutrition can vary widely."

Faraday bag for mobile phones, key fobs and credit card protection. (Image: Getty)

Mr Gold adds: "Last, the possibility of a nuclear exchange always lurks whenever there is talk of global war. Many people write it off as an apocalyptic situation, but while it's massively deadly and disruptive, it could be survivable for most people. EMPs (a burst of electromagnetic energy) are a related possibility - and specialised gear can help tackle all of these threats. Potassium iodide, respiratory protection, Faraday bags, and Geiger counters can all help in those extremely unlikely situations."

Potassium iodide tablets help block the absorption of harmful radioactive iodine, while filter masks can help prevent breathing in contaminated dust or particles. Faraday bags are specially designed to shield electronic devices from electromagnetic pulses, helping them remain functional. Meanwhile, Geiger counters are handheld devices that measure radiation levels, allowing people to understand whether an area is safe.