Home preparedness

Your home’s indoor temperature will drop quickly if the electricity cuts out during winter. Gather in one room, drape blankets over the windows, and cover the floor with rugs.

Good things to keep at home:

• Warm, all-weather outdoor clothing, clothes made of wool, thick socks, beanies, gloves, and scarves.
• Blankets, sleeping mats, and sleeping bags.
• Alternative heat sources that don’t require electricity
  – for example, a gas or paraffin heater.
• Candles, tea lights, and fuel for heat sources.
• Matches, fire-starters, and a fire extinguisher.

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If you are using alternative heat sources, please take the necessary precautions. Open a window to let in breathable air, and make sure to switch off heat sources before going to sleep.

You must be able to receive news and important information from government authorities. You must also be able to stay in contact with family and friends.

Good things to keep at home:

• Radio powered by batteries, solar panels or a winding mechanism.
• Extra batteries.
• Mobile phone and a charged power bank.
• Phone charger for a car.
• Important phone numbers written down on paper.

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The Swedish public broadcaster Sveriges Radio, channel P4, is the official channel for emergency information. It will continue to broadcast in the event of crisis or war. Find the frequency for your local P4 channel at krisinformation.se External link..

You need food that is filling, energy-rich and that can be stored safely at room temperature. Get food that can be prepared quickly, requires very little water, or that can be eaten immediately. Start building up your emergency storage by simply buying one or two additional items when doing your regular shopping.

Good things to keep at home:

• Non-perishables: Grains, cereal, pasta, rice, couscous, instant mashed potatoes, milk powder, tortillas, crispbread, crackers,
  salt, and spices.
• Tinned goods: Tomatoes, vegetables, fruit, and ready-to-eat meals.
• High-protein: Dried or tinned meat and fish, chickpeas, beans, lentils, and cheese in a tube.
• High-fat: Cooking oil, pesto, sun-dried tomatoes in oil, tapenade, peanut butter, nuts and seeds.
• Energy boosts: Fruit custard, jam, chocolate, honey, protein bars, and dried fruit.
• Drinks: Coffee, tea, hot chocolate mix, blueberry and rosehip soup, juice, or milk.
• Food for children: Gruel, infant formula, oatmeal, and baby food.

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Make use of available fruits and berries. Grow edible food in your garden, on your balcony, or on a windowsill.

The ability to make payments in various ways increases your emergency preparedness. You should use cash occasionally.

Good to have:

• Enough cash for at least one week, preferably in different denominations.
• Other payment options – for example, debit or credit cards and digital services.

If there’s no water – for example, as the result of a power cut – you will not be able to flush your toilet. Prepare to dispose of waste in
other ways and maintain good hygiene.

You may urinate in the toilet even if you can’t flush it. Discard toilet paper in a garbage can or bucket with a lid.

To dispose of excrement, fit a plastic bag or garbage bag in your toilet bowl or use a portable toilet or a bucket with a lid. Cover the
excrement with compost litter or sawdust. Your municipality will provide information on where to discard waste.

Good to keep at home:

• Toilet paper.
• Wet wipes, hand sanitiser.
• Diapers, menstrual pads.
• Plastic bags or garbage bags.
• Compost litter or sawdust.
• Bucket with a lid.

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To reduce odour buildup, avoid mixing urine and excrement.

Good to keep at home:

• Camping stove, gas burner, fuel.
• Home pharmacy, first aid kit.
• Matches, fire striker.
• Torch, headlamp.
• Tin opener.
• Fuel in the car tank or a charged battery.

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If you require prescription medicines or disposable products – for example, if you have diabetes – make sure to keep a month’s supply at home.