The bizarre issues Brits are stockpiling as WW3 looms – together with paint, BBQ fuel and incontinence pads

As well as normal stockpiling of essentials such as medical supplies and water, websites say they have also seen the purchase of some weirder items that are being bought as people start to fear bombs falling on Britain.

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Emergency food ration packs are being stockpiled by panicking Brits as the threat of World War 3 continues to loom. Customers are snapping up emergency survival snacks, bars and dried food as they fear the worst is coming as Iran, Israel and the US continue their fighting which has ravaged for almost a week now.

As well as normal stockpiling of essentials such as medical supplies and water, websites say they have also seen the purchase of some weirder items that are being bought as people start to fear bombs falling on Britain.

Items including dry food patches, commonly used by astronauts, as well as “high energy and calorie” snack bars which are billed as being “able to keep people going when food is not available.”

On one packet being sold on Amazon, sellers are specifically punting the bars as good in a crisis. One description reads: “You can eat survival ration bars when encountering emergencies, such as disasters, military combat, earthquakes, food shortages, hurricanes, camping, boating, or more indoor and outdoor activities during emergencies.

“These are a good emergency reserve and last for months so are ideal for stocking up.” First aid kits, iodine tablets and other essential items are also among the “popular items” now appearing on the popular selling site.

Freeze dried food such as chicken tikka curries, dried pasta and noodles are all being snapped up by panicking Brits. A spokesman said: “People do not want to be left short so are trying to get ahead.

“There has been an increase in rationing packs being snapped up and medical supplies. People are trying to be prepared.”

As well as the normal items expected such as medicines, water and food, buying experts have also revealed the more weird items that are being stockpiled by preppers around the country. They say that theescalating conflict involving Iran and the US has sharpened fears of disruption in the Strait of Hormuz — a critical shipping chokepoint for global energy supplies.

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that flows through Hormuz in 2024 and early 2025 accounted for over a quarter of global seaborne oil trade and about one-fifth of global oil and petroleum product consumption, with around one-fifth of global LNG trade also transiting the route. Recent reporting also points to rising freight costs and war-risk disruption to shipping, which can add cost and delay to supply chains well beyond energy alone.

A spokesperson for AI SEO said: “Most people assume an oil shock only hits petrol, but the knock-on effect can show up in everyday essentials through transport costs, packaging inputs and petrochemical-based materials. We’re not telling anyone to panic-buy — the practical approach is simply to plan ahead for items you already use weekly, and avoid being caught out if retailers reprice quickly.”

They say the weird and wonderful items that people should consider adding to their baskets now include:

LPG / propane cylinders normally used for BBQs, patio heaters and caravans

Why prices may rise: LPG sits inside the wider energy/refining ecosystem, and disruption to shipping and energy markets can push costs up.

Flights and package holidays

Getting on a flight and jetting off to a sunshine spot now may seem like the last thing on your mind now, but soon you may not be able to afford a holiday. A spokesman for data analysist AI SEO said: “Airline fuel is one of the industry’s biggest costs, and higher jet fuel costs can feed into fares over time.”

Paint and DIY goods

Many solvents used across paints, coatings and related products aare petrol based which means costs could soon go up with shortages around the world.

Bin bags, cling film, freezer bags and plastic wrap essentials

Ethylene is a key plastics building block andin regions where oil price movements go up, it can translate into plastics also going up.

Disposable nappies and incontinence pads (and similar hygiene essentials)

Key absorbent materials such as nappies also sit in the plastic supply chain so stocking up on these before shortages and price rises are advisable if you rely on them.

Candles and paraffin-wax household products

Paraffin wax is obtained from petroleum and is commonly used in candles and with fears of power cuts, these could be a lifeline in bad times.

Long-life cupboard staples and cooking oils

Even if a product isn’t made from oil, higher diesel, freight and insurance costs can lift overall prices. These are also good to have in the cupboard just in case panic buying begins again in supermarkets.

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