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Emergency preparedness in Denmark: a guide for internationals

Updated · 7 min read

New here? Start with our overview of home readiness: what to have ready, and why.

If you have moved to Denmark, you may have heard the advice that every household should be ready to manage on its own for three days. It is general guidance from the Danish authorities for every household in the country. If you can manage for three days in a crisis, the authorities can focus on stabilising the situation and helping where the need is greatest.[1]

In short: Keep water, food, medicine and a few practical items at home for three days, know how you'll be warned, and only call 1-1-2 in an emergency.[1] The official leaflet is available in several languages.[3]

Why three days?

Many things can trigger a crisis. Extreme weather events are set to become more frequent and severe, the threat of cyber attacks and sabotage is serious, and accidents or technical problems can have a wide impact.[1] For most people, the direct consequence is losing utilities: no power, no water in the tap, a fridge and oven that don't work, and perhaps no way to shop, call or go online for a while.[1]

The advice was compiled by the Danish Emergency Management Agency together with other authorities, including the Danish Health Authority, the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, the Danish National Police and Danmarks Nationalbank.[1] What the three days look like in practice is in 72-hour readiness.

What to keep at home

  • Water: 3 litres per person per day for drinking and cooking, so 9 litres per person for three days, plus water for any pets.[1] See water in your emergency kit for how to store it.
  • Food: enough for three days that keeps outside the fridge and freezer, ideally food that needs no oven or stove, such as canned food and crispbread. Choose food your household eats and likes.[1]
  • Medicine and first aid: at least three days of medication and a first aid kit.[1]
  • Hygiene: toilet paper, hand sanitiser, wet wipes, sanitary pads and tampons.[1]
  • Heat: blankets, duvets and warm clothes. If it stays cold, keep the household warm by staying mainly in one room.[1]
  • Other necessities: a power bank for your phone, a torch, candles, matches and batteries.[1]
  • 9 litres of water per person
  • Food for three days that needs no fridge
  • Three days of medication and a first aid kit
  • Hygiene items
  • Blankets and warm clothes
  • Power bank, torch and batteries

You don't have to buy it all at once. Build your kit over time by buying a little extra when you're out shopping.[1] For the full list, see the emergency supply list, or build a kit for your household.

Paying when the systems are down

Keep one or more physical payment cards you can use if the internet is down or you can't pay with your phone, and make sure you remember your PIN codes. Also consider keeping a small amount of cash in coins and small notes.[1] Many internationals rely on their phone for everything, so this one is worth checking. Read more in payments when the systems are down.

How you're warned

In an emergency the authorities may warn you via the physical warning sirens, S!RENEN (Denmark's mobile-based public warning system) and emergency messages.[1] The sirens don't tell you what to do, so when you hear them, go inside and find information through DR or TV 2, the Danish public broadcasters. When the danger has passed, the sirens sound again.[2]

If other systems are down, DR broadcasts emergency announcements from the authorities, so a battery, wind-up or solar FM radio keeps you up to date. Many people have an FM radio in their car.[1] Read more in why you need an FM radio.

The sirens and S!RENEN are tested on the first Wednesday of May at noon. If you hear them then, it's the test.[2] Read more in emergency warnings in Denmark.

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Emergency and police numbers

Call 1-1-2 if you need an ambulance, the police or the fire service, and only in an emergency, because other calls can block the line for life-or-death calls.[1] For non-urgent police matters, the police's service number is 1-1-4.[4]

Your situation

Think about any special needs in your household, such as baby formula, nappies or care items, and food and water for pets.[1] If you live near the coast or in a low-lying area, find out where you can get sandbags in case of flooding.[1] Check your transport alternatives, and keep an eye on Rejseplanen (the national journey planner) and the Danish Road Directorate's traffic information.[1]

If you're new in the country, your network may be small. Write down important phone numbers and keep them on the fridge, and be aware of whether people around you need help.[1]

Danish words worth knowing

Official messages in a crisis are usually in Danish first. These words help:

  • beredskabsmeddelelse: emergency announcement
  • varsel / varsling: warning
  • strømafbrydelse / strømsvigt: power cut
  • kogeanbefaling: boil-water notice (see our guide)
  • stormflod: storm surge (see storms)
  • gå indenfor: go indoors
  • hjemmeberedskab: home emergency preparedness

Think before you share

Keep an eye on official social media and websites, and always double-check that a source is credible before you share information. Sharing verified information helps stop rumours and misinformation in a crisis.[1]

Your three-day checklist

See what the authorities recommend your household has ready.

See your checklist

For the full list of what to keep at home, read on here: Emergency supply list: what to keep at home

Frequently asked questions

What do the Danish authorities recommend?

That you and your household can manage on your own for three days in a crisis, so the authorities can focus on stabilising the situation and helping where the need is greatest.

What should I keep at home?

3 litres of water per person per day (9 litres each for three days), food that keeps without a fridge, three days of medication and a first aid kit, hygiene items, warm blankets and clothes, a power bank, a torch, batteries, physical payment cards and some cash.

How will I be warned in an emergency?

Through the warning sirens, S!RENEN on your phone and emergency messages. If you hear a siren, go indoors and look for information from DR or TV 2.

Is the advice available in my language?

Yes. The authorities' leaflet Prepared for crises can be downloaded in several languages.

Sources

  1. [1]Danish Emergency Management Agency (Beredskabsstyrelsen): Prepared for crises
  2. [2]Danish Emergency Management Agency (Beredskabsstyrelsen): Public warnings in case of emergencies
  3. [3]Danish Agency for Civil Protection (samsik.dk): Prepared for crises, translated publications
  4. [4]Danish National Police (politi.dk): Kriseinformation (in Danish)

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