Governments Are Asking Their Citizens To Be Ready!

Governments around the world – Sweden, France, Taiwan – are updating civil defence plans as threats from old (and new) adversaries escalate. Some countries, however, have yet to announce plans, despite the desperate need. So I’m filling the void.

Below are personal and household preparedness techniques in case of war, civil strife, supply chain disruptions, and other breaks in organized society. This information is introductory. For more comprehensive preparation, at the bottom I’ve included links to several civil defense guides – many from the Cold War – covering everything from nuclear fallout to outdoor shelters.

This won’t solve all our problems in the event of total collapse, but a prepared community is more resilient and may be able to mitigate some of the damage.

Here’s where to start:

Build and Maintain Emergency Supply Kits

Stockpile essential supplies so your household can be self-sufficient if cut off from services. Authorities recommend at minimum a 72-hour survival kit with items like non-perishable food, water (at least 2–4 L per person per day), medications, a battery or wind-up radio, flashlight, spare batteries, mobile chargers, cash, copies of important documents, spare keys, warm clothing and blankets, and basic tools. In practice, having a larger reserve is wise – Cold War civil defense manuals urged families to keep a full two-week supply of food and water, along with a first aid kit and radio, stored in a home shelter. Rotate your stock and check expirations regularly so provisions stay fresh.

Prepare Shelter and Safe Spaces

Identify the safest area in your home to shelter during different crises. For example, an interior basement room can protect against tornadoes or bomb blasts, and can be adapted as a fallout shelter in a nuclear emergency. Strengthen this space with supplies and physical shielding if needed (earth, water containers, or heavy materials can block radiation). The principles of radiation protection are simple – even with household resources, families can improvise an effective fallout shelter if needed. If a nuclear or chemical threat is imminent, seal the house: close doors and windows and shut off outside air if possible. Conversely, for some hazards like house fires or chemical spills, knowing how and when to evacuate the shelter is equally important. Being ready to shelter in place or evacuate based on official warnings will save lives.

Plan for Evacuation and Mobility

Have a clear family evacuation plan for scenarios where staying put is too dangerous (such as a spreading wildfire, flood, or invasion). Map out safe destinations (e.g. relatives in a safer region) and at least two routes to get there. Keep your vehicle fueled and ready and prepare a “go-bag” or car emergency kit in advance. This car kit should include food, water, first aid supplies, blankets, and a battery-operated radio so you can survive on the road or if stranded. Only attempt evacuation if you are confident you can leave early and reach your destination safely – do not get stuck in traffic during a crisis. As one nuclear survival guide warns, evacuating is viable only if you have a clear destination and route before chaos erupts; otherwise, you risk getting trapped in transit among panicked crowds. If you cannot evacuate in time (especially in urban centers), it is usually safer to stay where you are and make the best of your shelter.

Enhance First Aid and Medical Readiness

In disasters or war, professional medical help may be delayed, so basic medical skills and supplies are vital. Every household should keep a well-stocked home medical kit with first aid materials and essential medicines. This includes bandages, disinfectants, pain relievers (e.g. acetaminophen), any critical prescription drugs, and items for common ailments (oral rehydration salts, antiseptic, etc.). Community health handbooks urge families to have such kits ready for emergencies and to replace used or expired items regularly. Just as important is training – learn first aid and home nursing care in advance. Take a Red Cross first aid course and practice skills like CPR, controlling bleeding, and treating wounds or burns. Military first aid manuals emphasize attending to life-threatening injuries immediately (ensuring an open airway, stopping severe bleeding, treating for shock). Knowing how to stabilize an injured family member or neighbor until help arrives can make the difference in survival. Include basic dental emergency items as well (temporary filling material, oral pain relievers), since professional dental care might be inaccessible during a crisis.

Secure Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene

Water is an absolute priority. Store plenty of safe water – at least 2 litres per person per day for drinking (more for washing and cooking). If you have advance warning, fill bathtubs, sinks, and containers immediately before the supply or power is cut. In prolonged outages, know how to purify water from untreated sources. Maintain hygiene to prevent disease – wash hands frequently (use hand sanitizer if water is scarce) and safely dispose of waste. If toilets won’t flush due to infrastructure failure, set up an improvised latrine or bucket toilet away from living areas and water sources. Dig a deep pit outhouse if possible: a covered hole keeps flies and animals away from human waste, greatly reducing infection risk. Manage garbage by burning or burying it far from homes and wells. By rigorously keeping water clean, handling food safely, and containing waste, you can prevent outbreaks of diarrhea, cholera, and other diseases that often follow disasters.

Maintain Communication and Information Access

Staying informed during a crisis is crucial. Know your community’s emergency warning systems and signals (sirens, alert radio channels, text alerts) and heed them. Keep a battery-powered or wind-up radio in your kit to receive news and official instructions if power or internet goes down. Pre-designate information sources (local radio frequencies, government alert stations) and ensure all family members know how to tune in. Post a list of emergency contact numbers in your home and save them in cell phones. In the event of war or cyber attacks that disrupt communications, having a pre-arranged way to get information (like a neighbor with a ham radio, or a community bulletin point) is invaluable. If you have family members in other regions, agree on a check-in procedure (such as calling an out-of-area relative or using text/SMS which often works sooner than calls). Understand you may not be able to reach people. Communication can also mean simple signaling tools – keep a whistle (for attracting attention) and consider two-way radios for your family or group in case phone networks fail.

Equip and Harden Your Home

Increase your household’s physical resilience and safety. Survey your home for hazards and mitigate them – for example, brace or secure heavy furniture and shelves (especially important in earthquake-prone areas) and remove or fix anything that could fall or cause injury. Prepare to fight fires: install smoke detectors and keep fire extinguishers in key areas (kitchen, garage), and ensure everyone knows how to use them. Civil defense guides recommend having emergency tools on hand such as a fire extinguisher, a length of hose, a ladder, shovel, axe, saw, rope, and work gloves in your shelter or home kit. These tools can help put out small fires, shut off utilities, or perform light rescue if someone is trapped. Backup power and heating plans are also important – have flashlights and spare batteries for lighting, and candles as a last resort (with proper holders). For warmth during winter blackouts, stock extra blankets or sleeping bags and consider safe alternative heat sources. A small camp stove with fuel will allow you to boil water and cook if the electricity or gas is out. Take care with generators or open flames (carbon monoxide and fire risks) – use them only according to safety guidelines. By readying your home in advance, you reduce the risk of injury and damage when crises strike.

Make a Family Emergency Plan (and Practice It)

In a crisis every second counts, so each family member should know exactly what to do and work as a team. Create an emergency plan detailing meeting points, communication methods, and individual responsibilities. For instance, decide who will grab the emergency kits, who will check on elderly neighbors, and who will gather the pets. Conduct home drills for scenarios like fire evacuation, tornado sheltering, or lockdown. Children should be taught in simple terms how to dial emergency numbers and follow the plan. Also familiarize everyone with community plans – if your area has designated shelters or evacuation routes, make sure your home plan aligns with those. A good family plan also involves home emergency maintenance: know how to turn off the gas, water, or electricity if needed to prevent fires or flooding. By practicing in advance (even just talking through different scenarios), your family will respond more calmly and effectively when an actual emergency happens. Planning extends to important documents too: keep copies of IDs, passports, health cards, insurance policies, and a list of personal contacts in a waterproof folder as part of your kit. In the stressful moments of crisis, a well-rehearsed plan prevents panic and confusion.

Support Your Neighbors and Community

Community solidarity is a force multiplier in any disaster. After securing your household, help those around you if it’s safe – check on elderly or disabled neighbors, share resources, and communicate needs to local authorities. Individuals and families are responsible not only for themselves but also for contributing to the general survival effort. Many crises, from ice storms to war, can overwhelm professional responders, so communities that organize effectively can save lives. If you have skills (medical training, volunteer firefighter, etc.), make them known. Defend and aid your community, such as by joining local civil reserve units or volunteer firefighting groups. You might consider getting involved with your local emergency volunteer programs (like Community Emergency Response Teams or search-and-rescue volunteers) before a disaster happens. During peacetime, push for better community preparedness: attend town emergency planning meetings, map out which neighbor has a generator or a snowplow, and establish a buddy system for check-ins. In the event of an invasion or civil unrest, a networked community that watches out for each other is more resilient and less vulnerable to chaos. Preparedness is not just a private affair – it’s a collective insurance policy for your entire neighborhood.

Stay Informed and Mentally Resilient

Psychological preparedness is as important as physical preparations. In any crisis – whether a natural catastrophe or the shock of war – maintaining calm, discipline, and hope will greatly improve outcomes. Educate yourself now about what to expect in various emergencies; knowing the facts helps combat fear. For example, understanding that nuclear fallout risks can be reduced by simple sheltering techniques. By planning rationally, you replace panic with purpose. When a crisis hits, focus on actionable steps (check your family’s safety, use your plan, assist others) rather than dwelling on worst-case anxieties. Take care of mental health under prolonged stress: ensure each family member gets rest, stays hydrated and fed, and has some emotional outlet (even something like a book, game, or prayer can steady nerves during long waits). If you have children, keep them informed in a reassuring way and assign age-appropriate tasks to involve them – this gives them a sense of security and control. Community support is also a huge morale boost: knowing “we’re all in this together” helps psychologically.