# Self-preparedness in Norway: how to prepare for crises (7 days)

How to build an emergency stockpile for at least 7 days: water, food, heat, a DAB radio, cash and iodine tablets – following DSB and DSA official advice.

Canonical: https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/egenberedskap-norge
Language: en
Publisher: SamfunnPrep
Author: Hlib Suslov
Published: 2026-07-01T16:59:06.051+00:00
Modified: 2026-10-18T19:02:38.775886+00:00
AI use policy: https://samfunnprep.no/ai-policy.txt

## Key takeaways

- At least 7 days DSB recommends households manage on their own for at least 7 days – raised from 3 days in 2024.
- 20 litres per person Store about 20 litres of water per person, roughly 3 litres of drinking water a day for a week.
- Iodine tablets under 40 Under 40, pregnant or children at home? Keep iodine tablets – take them only on authorities' advice.

The Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB) recommends that every household be able to manage on its own for **at least 7 days** during a crisis – raised from 3 days in 2024. Here is the official checklist for your emergency stockpile: water, food, medicines, heat, a DAB radio, cash and iodine tablets.

## Forget "3 days" – now it is at least 7
Many older websites and brochures still say you should manage for **3 days (72 hours)**. That figure is outdated. In May 2024 DSB updated its advice, and the biggest change was that the recommended time you should be able to manage on your own rose from **at least three days to at least one week – 7 days**. In autumn 2024 DSB mailed an updated brochure to every household in the country. The advice applies to everyone living in Norway, whether you have lived here for years or just arrived.

Why longer? In a major event – for example a prolonged **power outage**, **extreme weather**, a **water supply failure** or a breakdown in payment systems – emergency and support services can come under heavy pressure, and help is prioritised for those who need it most. If you can manage on your own for a week, you free up help for others. Self-preparedness is not about fear, but about an ordinary household standing firm through the first days. You probably already have most of what you need at home.

## Water and food: start here
**Water is the most important thing.** DSB recommends storing about **20 litres of water per person**. That covers the most essential needs for a week if the tap water should fail. A simple rule of thumb is roughly **3 litres of drinking water per person per day**. Keep the water dark and cool, and replace it at regular intervals. You can also fill clean bottles yourself.

For food, keep a few days' supply that stores well and needs no refrigeration or much preparation:
- Crispbread, oats and crackers
- Canned goods: ready meals, beans and fish
- Dry goods such as pasta and rice (remember you need water and heat to cook)
- Long-life spreads, some chocolate or energy bars
- Food and supplies for **children**, and feed for **pets**

Think about what your family actually eats, and replace items before they expire.

## Heat, light and information
If you lose power in midwinter, heat quickly becomes the priority. Have ready:
- An alternative **heat source** – for example a wood stove, paraffin or gas heater (always follow the safety rules and ensure ventilation)
- **Matches** or a lighter, candles, plus warm clothes, a wool blanket or a sleeping bag
- A **flashlight** or head torch with spare batteries
- A battery-powered **DAB radio** (or one with a hand crank or solar cell) so you get important information from the authorities if the mobile network goes down
- A **power bank** to charge your phone

## Medicines, hygiene and cash
- **Medicines:** keep at least one week's extra supply of your regular medicines, a basic first-aid kit, paracetamol and iodine tablets (see below)
- **Hygiene:** wet wipes, hand sanitiser, toilet paper, and if needed nappies, sanitary pads or anything else you depend on
- **Cash:** keep some cash in small notes at home. In a power outage or IT failure, **cards and Vipps can stop working**, and then cash is often the only means of payment
- Write down important **phone numbers** and addresses on paper, in case your phone runs out of power

## Iodine tablets: who needs them?
**Iodine tablets** can protect the thyroid gland against radioactive iodine in a nuclear accident. The Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (**DSA**) recommends keeping iodine tablets at home if you are **under 40, pregnant, breastfeeding, or have children living at home**.

- They benefit **children and young people under 18, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers** most, because they have the highest risk of thyroid cancer after inhaling radioactive iodine
- Adults between 18 and 40 may need them in very special situations; people **over 40** have very little risk and normally do not need them
- The tablets (for example JODIX 130 mg) can be bought **over the counter at a pharmacy** and stored at home in advance
- Very important: take them **only** when the authorities give the message through radio and media – never on your own initiative. Follow the dosage in the package leaflet

## How to make a simple preparedness plan
You do not need to buy everything at once. Start with water and what you already have, and build up the stockpile little by little.

| Step | What you do |
| --- | --- |
| 1. Check | See what you have of water, food, heat and batteries |
| 2. Top up | Add what is missing, and gather everything in one place |
| 3. Talk together | Agree with your family what to do in a power outage |
| 4. Write it down | Note important numbers and addresses on paper |
| 5. Maintain | Replace water, food and batteries before they get too old |

Remember your neighbours – the elderly or sick especially may need help in a crisis. If you need quick help in an emergency, see [Emergency help in Norway](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/akutt-hjelp-i-norge). To prepare for power outages and know your rights to electricity support, read [Electricity in Norway and the power subsidy 2026](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/strom-i-norge-stromstotte-2026). If you are new to the country, you will find more practical advice in [Your first week in Norway](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/din-forste-uke-i-norge).

## FAQ

### How many days should I be able to manage on my own in a crisis?

DSB recommends that every household be able to manage on its own for at least 7 days. The recommendation was raised from 3 days in 2024. The idea is that support services can come under pressure in a major event, so those who can manage for a week free up help for those who need it most.

### How much water should I store?

DSB recommends about 20 litres of water per person, enough for the most essential needs for a week. A simple rule of thumb is roughly 3 litres of drinking water per person per day. Keep the water dark and cool, and replace it at regular intervals.

### What should be in the emergency stockpile?

Water, food that stores well, at least a week of medicines, an alternative heat source, matches, candles, a flashlight with batteries, a battery-powered DAB radio, a power bank, hygiene items and some cash. Think about children and pets too.

### Who should keep iodine tablets at home?

DSA recommends iodine tablets for everyone under 40, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and households with children. They are sold over the counter at pharmacies. Take them only when the authorities give the message, never on your own initiative, and follow the dosage in the package leaflet.

### Why do I need cash in the emergency stockpile?

In a power outage or IT failure, cards and Vipps can stop working. Then cash is often the only way to pay. Keep some cash in small notes at home so you can buy food and essential goods.

## Sources

- [Egenberedskap](https://www.dsb.no/sikkerhverdag/egenberedskap/)
- [Ofte stilte spørsmål om egenberedskap](https://www.dsb.no/en/Safe-everyday-life/Self-preparedness/Frequently-asked-questions-about-self-preparedness/)
- [Jodtabletter ved atomulykker](https://www.dsa.no/atomberedskap/jodtabletter)
- [Slik lagrer du drikkevann](https://www.dsb.no/en/Safe-everyday-life/Self-preparedness/How-to-store-drinking-water/)

Citation: Hlib Suslov, "Self-preparedness in Norway: how to prepare for crises (7 days)", SamfunnPrep, 2026-07-01T16:59:06.051+00:00, https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/egenberedskap-norge