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EU wants all households to prepare a 72hr survival kit
Brussels wants everyone to be ready in the event of war, a terrorist attack or other large-scale crisis
You’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve stumbled upon the plot for the latest end-of-days Hollywood blockbuster, but this comes straight from the powers that be in Brussels. This week, the EU has issued a recommendation that all households prepare a ‘survival kit’ that contains all the necessary equipment to last you through a 72-hour siege.
But it’s not the zombie apocalypse we’re preparing for here. Rather, it’s the European Commission’s (EC) latest strategy, released on Wednesday March 26, to be ready for major crises and threats, ranging from a nuclear accident to war, attacks on critical infrastructure, acts of terrorism and pandemics – remember the toilet paper crisis at the beginning of Covid?
It's about anticipating and reacting quickly, according to the EC, which has come up with a list of items all homes should have close to hand in case of emergency, including medicines, batteries and enough food and water to survive for three days without external assistance in the event of a crisis.
The official EU document explains that "in a context of increasing natural and man-made risks, and deteriorating security prospects for Europe, it is urgent that the EU and its Member States strengthen their preparedness."
Time to hit the shops. The emergency kit that Brussels recommends all European households have should include the following items:
- Bottled water (minimum 5 litres per person)
- Easy-to-prepare and preferably non-perishable foods
- A battery-operated radio
- A flashlight
- A spare battery for your mobile phone
- A portable stove or cooker (and bottled gas)
- Matches and lighters
- Cash
- Medicines
- Iodine pills
- First aid supplies
- Adhesive tape
- A fire extinguisher
- Hygiene items
The Nordic countries, which routinely provide their populations with emergency or conflict preparedness guides, add some elements to prepare for major threats. Their essential recommendations are to have enough food and bottled water for each person and for at least three days. Food should be non-perishable and/or canned (legumes, nuts, dried fruit, pasta, rice, milk, etc.).
To heat homes, emergency inventories in Sweden, Norway and Finland include items such as flashlights or candles, warm clothing, sleeping bags, batteries, matches and even firewood.
As for hygiene, it is recommended to have toilet paper, iodine tablets, plastic bags and first aid items such as gloves, compresses, hydroalcoholic gel or wet wipes.
It would also be a good idea to have an external mobile phone battery and charger, batteries, cash, personal documents (passport and ID) and a battery-powered radio to stay informed in case there's no internet.
In addition to these items, the Nordic countries also recommend having tools like pen knives, pliers, can openers, duct tape and a smoke detector.
We’re going to need a bigger bag!
Image: Freepik
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