Do you have a 72-hour emergency supply kit in your home?

Can you manage for 72 hours at home – three days without going to the shops? This requires, at minimum, food and drink for the whole family, as well as necessary medicines.

An emergency supply kit means extra food, water and other supplies that are kept at home. The value of an emergency supply kit can be priceless if, for example, illness or an accident prevents you from going to the store. If, at the same time, your loved ones are far away and your cupboards are bare, you already have a problem. 

How would you manage for three days without electricity and water from the tap? You would already need other supplies, such as bottled water, clean containers with lids to store water and food that can be eaten as it is.

A situation such as the above may come to pass if, for example, there is a major disruption in the electricity supply. In the event of such a disruption, during the first hours or days you may not be able to go to the shops, the shops may be closed or their payment systems may not work.

Preparedness is the key

The recommendation for 72 hours of self-preparedness is a timeframe commonly defined by aid agencies and authorities. In most crisis situations, three days is enough time for the authorities to resolve the disruption or have their own back-up arrangements in place. 

For example, a disruption in electricity supply can have a very rapid impact on everyday life. If the electricity is out for a longer period of time, the following can happen: the lights do not work, no water comes out of the tap, the house gets cold quickly in winter, the fridge and freezer defrost and it becomes difficult to prepare food. Network connections may also be lost.

In addition to food, water and medicine, preparedness should take into account light, staying warm, preserving food and access to information. 

Bottled water for every home

Bottled water is needed if the water supply is interrupted, for example, due to a prolonged power cut or if tap water becomes contaminated. That is why it is always a good idea to have bottled water at home. About two litres of drinking water per person per day are needed. Water is also needed for hygiene.

Water utilities are prepared for disruptions, and, in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, water will continue to be supplied during a short power cut. Nevertheless, if there is a power cut, you should avoid using water and flushing the toilet. Water should also not be discharged into drains. If you have to run water from the tap, it is a good idea to put a bucket or other container under it.

If the power outage is prolonged, the water supply may stop. In such cases, the authorities will set up water distribution points. That is why, in addition to clean drinking water, every home should have clean buckets or cannister for transporting and storing water.

Assemble an emergency supply kit

Products that have a long shelf life and can be prepared quickly are good for an emergency supply kit. If food can be heated and water is available, foods with a good shelf life include pasta, rice, potatoes, carrots, eggs, packets of ready-to-eat convenience food and canned food. Remember to take special diets and family pets into account.

As electricity and water may be cut off in the event of a disruption, there should also be food available in the home that is ready to eat without being cooked. 

You should only stock up on food that you would normally use. This keeps food in circulation, prevents it from becoming stale and avoids waste.