Brits urged to have key item ready in potential event of WW3 as government issues advice

With the world becoming increasingly unstable the UK government has warned civilians to keep certain items in the house which may be useful in an emergency.

It comes in the wake of multiple wildfires breaking out across the UK, as well as mounting concerns about geopolitical instability.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues to grind on, and Vladimir Putin has put out sabre-rattling rhetoric directed towards the UK, and some defence experts have warned that Russia could use small drones and cyber warfare to wreak havoc, though in a way that falls short of an all-out war.

For example, a drone carrying an explosive device was found at Leipzig Airport in Germany, with the German authorities since saying they believe that Russia was responsible.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump continues to pursue war with Iran, alongside Israel who have also invaded Lebanon to their north, and invaded a demilitarised buffer zone with Syria to their east.

Trump's war with Iran has had a huge knock on impact on the oil markets, causing global instability as the market reacted, and the US president has also issued threats against Cuba, as well as pursuing a trade war Canada over Trump's punishing tariffs.

With global instability and climate change threatening more problems for the UK, the government has advised civilians to stock up on things like tinned food and other supplies.

But what else could be useful to have around if there is an emergency?

A wind-up radio can be one of the best forms of communication in the event of WW3 (Getty Stock Images)

A key recommendation is to keep a wind-up radio in the house if there's a power cut.

“There might be updates communicated by radio during a power cut,” the government explains.

Wind-up radios that you can buy on Amazon, are able to generate electricity manually by turning a hand crank which spins a small generator inside the radio.

This powers the receiver and speaker, or might charge an internal battery.

It allows the radio to receive broadcast signals without mains electricity or disposable batteries.

So even if power grids, mobile networks and internet systems fail, wind-up radios can still receive emergency broadcasts and government updates using AM, FM, or shortwave signals.

Radio signals still work if the mobile phone network goes off (Getty Stock Images)

It comes after the European Union urged households to get their '72-hour survival kits' ready due to the various 'challenges that cannot be ignored'.

450,000,000 people who live in the EU have been told to make sure they have all their essentials ready if 'disaster hits'.

Their 'preparedness strategy' came about 'from growing geopolitical tensions and conflicts, hybrid and cybersecurity threats' and issues ranging from 'climate change', to the 'increase in natural disasters'.

President Ursula von der Leyen said 'our citizens, our Member States, and our businesses need the right tools to act both to prevent crises and to react swiftly when a disaster hits'.

The official website for the City of Calgary in Canada has shared what items you need to include in a 72-hour kit.

It includes:

• Bottled water
• Food
• Manual can opener
• Medication
• First aid kit
• Gloves
• Gauze pads
• A variety of bandages
• Antiseptic
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Needle and thread
• Instant ice packs
• Survival blanket
• External battery pack or wind-up phone charger
• Cash in small bills and coins
• Important documents
• Non-power consuming entertainment (board games, cards or books)
• Supplies for your baby and pet
• Warm clothes, blankets and sleeping bags
• Personal sanitation items (hand sanitiser, masks, wet wipes)
• Whistle
• Dust mask
• Duct tape