(Image credit: Blukar, Anker, Garmin / Edited with Gemini)

If you live in the UK then you can't have missed that the government has encouraged people to take "small, simple" steps to stay prepared in the case of an emergency. It comes just as the UK is being battered with severe storms.

It all sounds quite scary, but this is a case where making a few small purchases now can make a real difference later — and that's where this article comes in.

I've pulled together a list of 15 items that will help you feel safer and more prepared in case of emergencies. Most of these are small, everyday items like torches, phone power banks (don't forget to keep them charged), and first aid kits.…