Emergency backpack or what if it happens?

An emergency backpack and supplies are not for the paranoid, but for the smart! Find out what to have at home if the world starts to crumble. Be one step ahead!

It is true that the European Union and various national governments recommend that citizens keep an emergency backpack and supplies at home. This is not because we fear any specific immediate threat, but rather because increasing the overall preparedness and resilience of society to various crisis situations.

• Unpredictability of crises: We live in a time when various emergencies can suddenly occur, such as natural disasters (floods, severe storms, earthquakes), technical accidents (power outages, problems with water or gas supplies), pandemics, or even geopolitical events with an impact on supply chains.
• The first days are crucial: In the early hours and days of a crisis, infrastructure and basic services may be disrupted. Shops may be closed or under-stocked, emergency services may have limited capacity and may not be able to reach everyone immediately. Having your own supplies and a contingency pack will help you get through this critical period until the situation stabilizes and help arrives.
• Ensuring basic needs: The supplies and backpack help provide basic needs such as food, drinking water, warmth, light, hygiene and basic medical supplies when regular resources are unavailable.
• Reducing the burden on emergency services: If as many people as possible are able to take care of themselves in the first few days, emergency services can focus on helping those who need it most.
• Psychological well-being: Knowing that you are prepared and have the basic survival tools can reduce stress and panic in a crisis situation.

• Water: Bottled drinking water (at least 2-3 liters per person per day).
• Foodstuffs: Durable foods that do not require cooking (canned goods, crackers, energy bars, dried fruit, nuts).
• First aid kit: Basic dressing material, disinfection, medications you take regularly, analgesics, antipyretics.
• Lighting: Flashlight (preferably a headlamp) and spare batteries.
• Heat: Warm clothes, blanket or sleeping bag.
• Hygiene: Toilet paper, soap, disinfectant gel, wet wipes.
• Documents and money: Personal documents, cash (in case of payment terminals outage see the article about cash!).
• Battery-powered radio: To receive important information.
• Mobile phone and power bank: For communication.
• Emergency whistle: To call for help.
• Multipurpose knife.
• Garbage bags.
• For families with children and pets: Needs specific to them (baby food, medication, feed).

• European Commission – EU preparedness union strategy: https://commission.europa.eu/topics/preparedness_en (This page describes the EU's strategy for preparedness for various crises and also mentions citizen involvement.)
• PreventionWeb.net – EU Preparedness Union Strategy to prevent and react to emerging threats and crises: https://www.preventionweb.net/news/eu-preparedness-union-strategy-prevent-and-react-emerging-threats-and-crises (Article on EU strategy with emphasis on crisis prevention and response.)
• AK Europa – Crisis preparedness: the EU launches a new strategy: https://www.akeuropa.eu/index.php/en/crisis-preparedness-eu-launches-new-strategy (More information on the new EU crisis preparedness strategy.)

It is good to remember that having emergency supplies and a backpack at home is not an expression of panic, but rather responsible approach to possible threats and efforts to increase one's own safety and self-sufficiency in crisis situations.

Great floods are not just a historical memory today – Moravia has experienced several of them, the last time on a larger scale in 2023.
And the tornado? Yes, that has already hit our republic – hardest in 2021 in South Moravia.
And while we may be saying "that doesn't concern us", in Spain and Portugal you They went through several daily blackouts due to the transition to green energy.
No power, no water, no connection – and no plan B.

Do you have something similar at home? I have to admit that I do… just not in a backpack, but nicely scattered throughout the apartment like treasures! After Covid, I'm a supply ninja – and honestly, I've always had a tendency to hoard. I'm just the typical woman who hoards rice and flour instead of handbags. 💁‍♀️😉