Households urged to keep one surprising item ready at home amid World War 3 fears

People are bracing themselves for World War 3 possibly breaking out in the near future.

While WW3 is yet to happen (and hopefully never will), one of Vladimir Putin's generals, Apti Alaudinov, suggested last month that a third world war has already begun.

Iran, an ally of Russia, has been fighting with Israel for weeks. With this in mind, Alaudinov urged the Kremlin to prepare more troops as a warning to other countries not to attack Russia.

"We need to prepare at least half a million people in advance," he said. "But realistically one million people. We need to call them up and start preparing them for the fact that the war has already begun, which we already know is happening - World War 3. But it has already taken on a new turn and a new momentum."

Apti Alaudinov previously said that WW3 had already begun (Contributor/Getty Images)

Alaudinov added: "And so that no one dares to play with us the way they played with all the other countries, and now with Iran. Believe me, we all need to unite, unite, unite at all levels."

Adding to people's anxieties, the UK government's recently released National Security Strategy, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, expressed particular concerns about nuclear warfare.

Part of it read: "The threat to the UK and our allies from nuclear weapons is once again growing. Tackling this challenge is likely to be more complex than it was even in the Cold War, with more states with more nuclear weapons, the further proliferation of nuclear and disruptive technology, and the failure of international arms control arrangements to keep pace."

Now, I'm sure we can all agree that we do not want WW3 to happen (whether that be a nuclear war or not), but should you be someone who's particularly worried about this daunting prospect, there are things you can be doing to prepare.

Per the UK government's 'Prepare' campaign, it advises what to do in the event of a power cut in an emergency (i.e., WW3).

One unexpected item is a wind-up radio, as the UK government says: "There might be updates communicated by radio during a power cut."

Keir Starmer warned that nuclear threats to the UK are 'growing' (Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)

"A car radio can be used, however in severe weather it might be safer to stay inside. Write down on paper the frequencies of any local or national radio stations you use for news updates."

While you're purchasing all things wind-up, it's advised that you get your hands on a wind-up torch too.

What to stockpile in a war

According to Ready.gov and the American Red Cross, you'll need to stockpile a few items for a survival kit in case of a huge emergency.

The first priority is water, with the Red Cross recommending one gallon per person per day. Non-perishable food or any easy-to-prepare meals are also a big concern, with at least a several-day supply.

A wind-up or battery powered radio is a must (Getty stock images)

Alongside a radio, a flashlight is also a necessity, as is some extra batteries for replacement, and a cell phone with backup batteries and chargers.

A first-aid kit, along with several types of medication and personal hygiene items, is a must.

Of course, if electricity is down, it is recommended to carry some extra cash and any identification documents in waterproof cases.

Depending on what emergency you might be facing, other items might be important, such as:

• Whistle
• Surgical masks
• Sleeping bags/blankets
• Extra clothing for different climates
• Matches
• Tools/supplies for securing your home