Why prepare
After a major disruption, emergency services focus first on the people in greatest need. Utilities, shops and transport can take time to come back. During those first days, households that can look after themselves free up help for others.
That is why the European Union's Preparedness Union Strategy (2025) and many national civil-protection agencies encourage every household to be able to manage on its own for at least 72 hours.
Comfort
Light, warmth and food keep daily life manageable.
Information
A radio works when phones and internet do not.
Calm
Knowing what to do lowers stress for the whole family.
When to use your kit
Most situations fall into two modes: stay home or leave quickly. A modular kit covers both.
Power outage
Stay home. Headlamp and radio first, keep the fridge closed, use the bivvy and layers if heating is off.
Winter storm
Shelter in place. Warmth, light and official broadcasts matter most until roads and lines are cleared.
Flood or wildfire evacuation
Grab the backpack and go. Documents pouch, water filter, first aid and poncho are already packed.
Water supply disruption
Use the filter and tablets on any available source until authorities confirm tap water is safe.
Travel or road disruption
Keep a module in the car. Food bars, water, whistle and warmth turn a long wait into an inconvenience.
What belongs inside
Think in modules, not lists. Each covers one basic need, so you can grab only what a situation requires.
Water
- Hollow-fiber water filter
- Purification tablets
Clean water is the first priority. Filter for particles and bacteria, tablets as a backup.
Food
- High-calorie ration bars
Ready to eat, no cooking or extra water needed, long shelf life.
Information & light
- Crank / solar AM/FM radio with flashlight
- LED headlamp
Official broadcasts keep you informed when mobile networks are down. Hands-free light keeps you safe.
Warmth & shelter
- Emergency mylar bivvy
- Heavy-duty rain poncho
- Firestarter kit
Staying warm and dry prevents most secondary problems during cold or wet events.
Health & hygiene
- CE-certified first aid module
- FFP2 masks & nitrile gloves
- Biodegradable hygiene wipes
Treat small injuries early, protect against dust or smoke, keep basic sanitation.
Tools & signalling
- Multi-tool
- Paracord (10 m)
- High-decibel whistle
Simple repairs, securing gear, and being heard by rescuers over distance.
Organisation & morale
- Waterproof document pouch
- All-weather notebook & pencil
- Waterproof playing cards
- Modular storage backpack
Copies of key documents, notes for family, and a little normality for long hours.
Add personally: drinking water at home (commonly around 2–3 litres per person per day), prescription medicines, glasses, baby or pet supplies, a little cash, and a power bank.
How to use it well
- 01
Stay calm and get informed
Turn on the radio and tune to national or regional broadcasts. Follow instructions from civil protection.
- 02
Decide: stay or go
Most events are best handled at home. Leave only when told to, or when your home is no longer safe.
- 03
Water first, then warmth
Ration drinking water, filter any extra. Add layers and use the bivvy before you feel cold.
- 04
Check on others
Look after children, elderly neighbours and pets. Use the whistle to signal if you need help.
- 05
Write things down
Note times, decisions and contacts in the notebook. Leave a message if you move location.
Food shelf life
"Best before" is about quality, not safety. Canned and dry foods stored well usually stay safe to eat long after that date — so there is no need to throw them away.
Best before vs. use by
"Best before" means taste and texture are at their best until then. "Use by" (fresh meat, dairy) is a safety date — respect it.
Canned food
Kept cool, dry and undamaged, cans are commonly fine for years past the date. Colour or texture may change slightly; nutrition slowly declines.
When to throw it away
Bulging, leaking, deeply dented (especially on seams) or rusted cans, spurting liquid on opening, or an off smell. When in doubt, throw it out.
Rotate your pantry
Use the oldest first and replace as you go. A small, regularly used stock is better than a forgotten large one.
Making water safe
Plan around 2–3 litres of drinking water per person per day. If tap water is unavailable or declared unsafe, treat any other water before drinking, in this order of preference:
- 01
Use stored or bottled water first
Sealed bottled water is the safest option. Follow official notices about when tap water is safe again.
- 02
Boil
Bring clear water to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute (3 minutes at high altitude). Let it cool covered. This kills bacteria, viruses and parasites.
- 03
Filter
A hollow-fibre filter removes bacteria, parasites and particles. Most do not remove viruses or chemicals, so combine with tablets or boiling where possible.
- 04
Purification tablets
Follow the dose and waiting time on the pack (often 30 minutes, longer for cold or cloudy water). Ideal when you cannot boil.
- 05
Worst case: pre-filter through cloth
If water is cloudy, pour it through a buff, clean T-shirt or coffee filter and let sediment settle. This only clears particles — always boil or disinfect afterwards.
Never drink floodwater or water that may contain fuel or chemicals — boiling and filters do not make it safe.
Storage & maintenance
Keep the backpack somewhere cool, dry and easy to reach, near the main exit or in a hallway cupboard. Everyone at home should know where it is.
Every 6 months
Check expiry dates on food, tablets and first aid. Test radio and headlamp. Recharge or replace batteries.
Every year
Update documents and contact list. Re-fold the poncho and bivvy. Adjust clothing for the season.
After any use
Replace what you used straight away so the kit is ready for the next time.
Your household plan
A kit works best alongside a simple plan. Take ten minutes together to agree:
- A meeting point near home and one further away
- One contact outside your region everyone can call
- Who picks up children or checks on relatives
- Where the kit, documents and main switches are
- Which radio stations carry official announcements
Always follow guidance from your national civil-protection authority. In Slovenia this is the Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief (URSZR); in an emergency call 112.
Free download
The 72-hour household checklist
Print it, tick off what you have and fill in your family plan: meeting points, contacts, who does what, and when to check the kit.