Building an emergency supply – calmly, step by step
An emergency supply sounds like crisis. In practice it is more like an umbrella: you hope not to need it and you are glad when it is there. A power cut, a flood nearby, or the flu keeping you from shopping for a few days – that is when what you have at home counts.
How much is enough?
Germany's Federal Office of Civil Protection (BBK) recommends being able to look after yourself for ten days if possible. It also stresses: even a supply for three days helps a lot. The Austrian Civil Protection Association plans for 14 days. If you are short on space, the association says you can halve the amounts – then the supply lasts about a week.
Where do I start?
- Water first. People can manage quite a while without food, but only a few days without drinking.
- Food that needs no fridge. It does not spoil during a power cut.
- Food you can eat without cooking, or that cooks quickly. That saves energy if the stove does not work.
- Things you actually like. The Austrian association says it plainly: do not buy food you would not eat in normal times.
Not only food
Being prepared also means personal medicines, a small first-aid kit, a torch with spare batteries, a radio that runs on batteries or a crank, hygiene items and some cash. Think of pets, too, and of special needs in your family such as baby food or a special diet.
How Vorrio helps
Vorrio converts the official amounts to your household and your number of days, rounds up to packs you can buy, and shows your progress as a filling jar. Your data stays on your device.