Sales of tinned food, radios and torches spiked in some shops after the UK government advised households what to stock up on in case of a national emergency. While having this stash - or personal crisis kit - is new to the UK, it's common in many places across the world. Countries facing extreme weather, natural disasters and fraught geopolitical situations regularly issue preparedness guidance - some even delivering booklets directly to homes.
So what do these emergency supplies look like for some and how do they manage it? Thirty-year-old Andreas Wennerberg had never really thought about preparing for emergencies, until a government booklet arrived through his door two years ago. Posted to every household in Sweden, it detailed what to stock up on and how to act "in case of crisis or war".
Andreas, who lives in Stockholm, built up a relatively small stockpile in his basement, including a crank radio, a tank with 10 litres of water and about €200 (£170) in cash. He says he already owned some of the items. It was a "wake-up call", he says, but admits he hasn't followed the guidance in full.
Dan C, a physiotherapist in Maryland, started his emergency supply after becoming a father. So far, he has spent about $6,000 (£4,470), storing it on shelves in his basement. "It's part of my responsibility as a parent," says Dan, 38, who has two children under 10.
A few years ago his house was cut off during a "very cold" February and the family was without power for two days. Though he'd already started keeping supplies, "there were numerous gaps in what I had prepared for," he says. Dan's stash now includes 150 gallons of water and several large water storage containers made of soft plastic, which can be filled and kept in the bath.
He also keeps things like chlorine dioxide tablets, which are often used to make water from streams or rivers safe to drink. His "rotating pantry" - consisting of long-life food supplies like oats, quinoa and peanut butter - is regularly used for cooking then replaced so "it's not just sitting there expiring". For his family-of-four, he has about three months of food supplies.
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