How to prepare for war, famine and disaster

"Prepare for war, famine and disaster" sounds dramatic, but it comes down to a calm, universal idea: hold enough of the essentials to get your household through a period when normal supply stops — power, water, shops, money and communication. The same small store carries you through a storm, a blackout, a strike or something worse. The rule of threes, in order of urgency Minutes without safety from immediate danger. Three hours without shelter and warmth in harsh weather. Three days without water. Three weeks without food. Prepare in that order and you spend your effort where it counts. Water Store at least 3 litres per person per day; aim for two weeks if you have the space. Know how to purify more (see the water guide). Food Build a two-to-four-week store of food that keeps and needs little cooking: rice, pasta, oats, tinned beans, fish and vegetables, oil, honey, salt. Buy a little ex…