The year 2016 has thrown major unexpected situations our way – the outcome of Brexit and Donald Trumps’ Whitehouse win are proof that not everything is comfortable in the world, and the unimaginable and unexpected can happen. With Brexit, we saw the pound crash overnight, and we are not out of the woods yet. Global economies are a lot more unstable than many people believe, and the idea of an economic collapse is not as far-fetched an idea as it once seemed. So, what can we do to prepare ourselves if the economy does collapse overnight?

Start to sort out your finances straight away – getting out of debt is the most important thing that you can do right now. In the financial collapse in 2008, millions of people lost their homes and possessions because they were in debt. Cut down on anything that you do not need, and use any spare money you have to pay off debts. If you have money in the bank, think about keeping a supply of paper money in a secure place that only you know about. If economic collapse looks likely, there will be a run on the banks, as people will be suddenly desperate to get hold of their money, which will cause the banks to freeze accounts. Any paper money that you have will be needed, so keep as much as possible hidden away.

Have plenty of supplies- Keep a supply of tinned food and food that can be stored long term, (pasta, rice, biscuits are a few foods that store well) and as much as possible bottled water. This is good practice to keep these items, as they are useful to have in other emergencies. Economic collapse could lead to a shortage of many basic items, due to a collapsing supply chain. First aid kits and medical supplies are also a good thing to stock up on, as are other essentials such as medicines (particularly if you take medicines that you rely on, such as for diabetes) and personal hygiene supplies. If you do not already know first aid, you should learn it.

Prepare for everything – Civil unrest is growing across the world, and economic collapse could well cause riots. Learning self-defence is a good idea, and keep a supply of outdoor camping equipment from http://www.angloforro.co.uk/product-category/camping/ in a separate bag, with a separate set of food, water and medical supplies, in case you need to move away quickly. Water purification tablets are also a good idea, if you are away from home for a long time, you may need to find sources of water which will then need to be made suitable to drink. A battery powered radio and a supply of batteries will also be a handy thing to have to keep you up to date with what is going on, and places that you may need to avoid. It is worth reading books on outdoor survival in case you are living out of doors for a long time. It is also a good idea to take a look at your home’s security – burglary and break in’s will become widespread, so it is a wise investment to ensure that your home can be secured as well as possible from marauding rioters.

Looking after yourself and your family during times of civil unrest is a lot easier if you are prepared for the worst – nobody wants to think about the worst happening, but being prepared for the worst to happen is important, and can ensure that you and your family have the best possible chances in the future.