Emergency preparedness in Finland starts with a simple rule: households should have enough basic supplies to manage independently for at least 72 hours if essential services are disrupted. Yet young adults and city residents are considered among the least prepared groups, according to the Finnish Ministry of the Interior, as reported by public broadcaster Yle.
The Finnish National Rescue Association (Suomen Pelastusalan Keskusjärjestö, SPEK) identifies three priorities for every home: water, food and reliable access to information. The recommendations are intended not only for major crises, but also for everyday disruptions such as extended power cuts and interruptions to the water supply.
Enough water for at least three days
Water is the first essential. According to the recommendations cited by Yle, a person needs approximately two to three litres of clean drinking water per day. Additional water is needed for cooking and basic hygiene.
Households should therefore plan for at least three days without access to their normal water supply.
Having bottled water at home is a useful starting point, but it is also important to keep clean containers with lids, such as buckets or canisters. These can be used to collect water from distribution points if the regular supply is interrupted.
Bottled water should be checked regularly and replaced according to its best-before date.
Food that can be stored without refrigeration
The second priority is to keep at least three days’ worth of food for everyone in the household.
The recommended emergency supply does not need to be a separate stockpile. Instead, SPEK advises choosing foods that people already eat regularly, can be stored at room temperature and can be replaced as they are used.
Long-lasting products such as pasta, cereals and other dry foods can form part of these supplies. However, there is an important practical consideration: not every food can be prepared during a power cut.
A cupboard full of pasta may be of limited use if there is no electricity to cook it. Ready-to-eat foods are therefore particularly useful, alongside a safe alternative means of preparing meals.
Finland’s official preparedness guidance also recommends considering the dietary needs of everyone living in the household, including pets.
A radio and backup power to stay informed
The third essential is access to reliable information.
During an emergency, authorities may need to communicate important warnings and instructions. However, power outages can make it difficult to access the internet, charge electronic devices or follow developments through normal channels.
For this reason, SPEK recommends keeping a battery-powered radio with spare batteries at home.
A radio provides an alternative way to receive official information when electricity or telecommunications networks are disrupted.
A charged power bank is another important precaution. Mobile phones may continue working during some disruptions, but their batteries are limited and network connections cannot always be relied upon.
The Finnish National Rescue Association’s preparedness guidance recommends following information from public authorities, municipalities, utilities and trusted broadcasters.
Emergency preparedness is also about knowing your neighbours
Water, food and information are the three starting points, but they are not the only elements of household preparedness.
Finland’s broader recommendations also include essential medicines, a torch, hygiene supplies and a small amount of cash.
SPEK also emphasises something that cannot be stored in a cupboard: good relationships with neighbours.
During a disruption, one person may have useful information or equipment that another lacks. Neighbours can help each other collect water, share practical knowledge or support people who have difficulty managing independently.
The 72-hour recommendation is intended to give the authorities time to respond to an emergency and prioritise assistance for those who need it most.
Being prepared, therefore, is not simply a matter of storing supplies. It also means knowing how to use them, where to find reliable information and who can help when normal services are unavailable.
