Crises and unexpected situations can happen at any time - whether it's a natural disaster, a power cut, a severe storm or other emergency. To protect yourself and your loved ones, it pays to prepare for crises in advance. A well thought-out plan, having the essential supplies and taking informed action can help ensure a sense of security even when daily life is temporarily disrupted.
Crisis preparedness isn't just about stockpiling - it's equally important to think about how to deal with your family in an emergency, how to stay in touch, where to get information and when it makes sense to stay at home or evacuate. Everyone can make an important contribution to their own safety.
Here you will find guidance and advice on how to assess risks, make a family crisis plan, stock up on essentials and cope with situations where electricity, water or communications are temporarily out of order.
From the mobile app "Get ready!" and from the website www.olevalmis.ee find different guidelines for preparing for and responding to crisis situations. The mobile app can also be used without an internet connection.
Find out more about crisis preparedness:
- Be prepared from the website: guidelines for crisis situations
- From the Rescue Board website: emergency preparedness
Home stocks in crisis situations
Preparing for a crisis starts with assessing the potential threats to your home and surroundings. Think about what is most likely to happen in your area - for example, storms, power cuts, heavy snow or rain, forest fires or floods.
It's important to discuss a plan of action with family members, neighbours or the housing association: how to act in a crisis, where to go and how to contact each other if normal communication channels don't work.
You should always have at least supplies for a weekto cope if the electricity or water supply is cut off. Stocks can be used on a daily basis, but it is important to have a certain amount of them on hand at all times.
Recommended emergency stocks:
- drinking water (at least 3 litres per person per day),
- preserved food,
- the medicines you need,
- hygiene products,
- torches and other light sources,
- a radio powered by batteries or a generator,
- cash reserve,
- heating material for colder periods,
- food for pets,
- at least half a tank of fuel in the car.
You can have a look at the emergency home stockpiles reminder via the link below.
Preparing a family crisis plan
A well-thought-out crisis plan will help family members act calmly and wisely in an emergency. It's worth discussing the plan with the whole family so that everyone knows what to do and where to find what they need.
When discussing this with the whole family, it is worth considering the following questions:
- How and when to call for help in an emergency?
- Where are the essential items and tools?
- How to stop water and gas supply and turn off electricity?
- Where to temporarily hide (with relatives, friends or a summer home)?
- When is it safer to stay at home and when is it wiser to evacuate?
- What to take with you when you leave home?
- How to look after pets in a crisis?
Important steps:
- Arrange a meeting place with loved ones if you lose contact;
- Make sure documents and essentials are easily accessible;
- Write down important contacts (neighbours, service providers, municipal crisis contacts).
How to prepare for a power cut?
Many everyday activities can be affected by a power cut - lighting, household appliances, water supply, heating systems and card payments can all stop. Shops, pharmacies and petrol stations may also be temporarily closed if the outage lasts longer.
What to consider in the event of a power cut:
keep at least half a tank of fuel in the car;
keep flashlights and batteries at home;
stock up on drinking water and non-perishable food;
keep mobile phones and battery banks charged;
listen to information on the car radio or on the car radio.
Many families are considering buying an electricity generator. To do this:
find out what equipment you need in case of an emergency,
calculate their electricity demand,
make sure the generator has the necessary safety features (e.g. AVR),
think about where and how to use the generator,
follow the manufacturer's instructions and, if necessary, seek specialist advice.
More information on the installation and safe handling of generators can be found on the Rescue Board's website:General - Instructions for the installation and use of an electrical generator - Rescue Board
Water supply and sanitation
Water supplies may be dependent on electricity in a crisis, so it is important to have enough drinking water. In homes connected to the public water supply, it is worth looking into how the water supply will work during an outage. As a minimum 3 litres of drinking water per person per day.
Map of public drinking water sources, wells, springs in the area.
If you use water taken from nature (including snow water), boil it for at least 10 minutes or use special cleaning products.
Sewers can stop working due to a power cut, which can cause flooding and sanitation problems. It is therefore worth having alternative solutions in stock, such as bin liners or a dry toilet.
Providing heat
If your home's heating system runs on electricity, it's worth considering alternative solutions. If you are relying on central heating, it is worth checking with your local authority or service provider how it works during outages. If your home has a stove, fireplace or wood-burning stove, make sure they are in good working order and use heating sparingly.
If there are no independent heaters, you can use just one room to keep warm, close doors and windows and seal off any places where heat can escape. If a gas radiator or other alternative heating appliance is available, it must be used in accordance with the instructions and fire safety requirements. If a generator is available, it is a good idea to check that it is in working order and that it has sufficient fuel before a crisis. If it gets too cold in your home, consider moving in with relatives or friends temporarily, or ask your local authority for help.
Food stocks
Household stocks should contain foods that can be consumed without heating. In addition, a barbecue, camping stove or fireplace can be used, but fire safety rules must be observed. It is advisable to stock up on food that can be consumed daily and that can be kept in circulation, as well as food for pets.
Examples of products with a longer shelf life and easy consumption include canned goods, litter, nuts, muesli bars and biscuits. It should be remembered that live fires should not be left unattended and camping stoves or barbecues should only be used outdoors.
Communication and payment facilities
In the event of a longer power cut, ATMs and card payments may stop working. It is therefore a good idea to keep some cash at home to cover essential expenses for at least a week. A small cash reserve in your wallet can also be useful in unexpected situations.
Battery banks should be kept charged to charge your phone or other devices when needed. It's worth using them sparingly to extend battery life. In a crisis, important information can be obtained via a battery or dynamo powered radio, as well as a car radio - to do this, keep the car's fuel tank at least half full. National announcements are broadcast on ERR channels and Vikeradio.
For housing associations
Crisis preparedness of housing associations is essential to ensure the safety and comfort of residents in unexpected situations. Well-prepared apartment buildings enable residents to cope better in times of crisis and help us all to be more aware and confident in dealing with emergencies.
