Sweden’s “In case of crisis or war”: what it asks every household to do
Sweden’s brochure In case of crisis or war (Om krisen eller kriget kommer), sent to every household in November 2024, asks people to be able to manage on their own for at least one week. It recommends at least 3 litres (0.8 US gal) of water per person per day, food that keeps without a fridge, a way to stay warm, a battery or crank radio, medicines, cash and a list of phone numbers on paper.
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Why Sweden sends a brochure to every household
Sweden has a long tradition of telling its population how to prepare. The government asked the civil-defence agency to update the brochure in 2024, and the new edition went to every household in November 2024. Its message: if a serious incident happens, help must go first to those who need it most, so most of us must be able to manage on our own for at least a week. It also covers what to do if Sweden is attacked, including that any message saying resistance should cease is false.
The brochure was produced by MSB (the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency). Since 1 January 2026, MSB has been the Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency (Myndigheten för civilt försvar, MCF); the advice has not changed.
Home preparedness: the key points
Water
- At least 3 litres (0.8 US gal) per person per day, mainly for drinking and cooking. A week for one person is 21 litres (5.5 US gal).
- Get water containers or buckets with lids. Municipalities can set up public water tanks, but you need something to carry the water home in.
- Store water dark and cool, check taste and smell once or twice a year, and replace when needed.
- If unsure whether water is safe, bring it to a rolling boil.
- Keep some plastic bottles of water in the freezer: they act as ice packs in a power cut and become drinking water when they thaw. Don’t fill them to the top.
Food
Food that keeps without a fridge or freezer, that can be eaten as it is or cooked with little water. Choose what your household normally eats. Our 72-hour food list is a good first step towards a week.
Heat
Swedish winters make heat a priority. The agency lists sleeping bags, blankets and warm clothes, and, if you choose one, an alternative heat source fuelled by kerosene, LPG, diesel or wood, used with adequate ventilation. Gather in one room and insulate it; our guide to keeping warm without heating explains how.
Communication
A radio powered by batteries, solar or a crank; a torch and headlamp with spare batteries; charged power banks; and a paper list of phone numbers for family, neighbours, the hospital, the municipality and your energy provider.
Other essentials
- A home pharmacy: first aid, wound care, essential medicines.
- Hygiene items: wet wipes, hand sanitiser, nappies, sanitary products.
- Cash, in case card payments stop working.
- Stoves and fuel, preferably used outdoors.
One week vs 72 hours
| EU recommendation | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Period | At least 72 hours | At least one week |
| Water | Not specified | At least 3 L (0.8 US gal) per person per day |
| Water for 1 person | ≈ 9 L (2.4 US gal) at 3 L/day | ≈ 21 L (5.5 US gal) |
| Focus | Essential supplies | Water, food, heat, communication |
The agency’s own FAQ says it clearly: 72 hours has been widely used and is better than nothing, but Sweden asks for a week, because over a week society has time to gather resources. If you already have a 72-hour kit, extending it to a week mostly means more water, more food and better heating.
Low-cost steps
- Get a cheap battery radio so you can always listen to the news.
- Keep extra long-life food that you normally eat.
- Write down important phone numbers and post them somewhere obvious.
- Fill some bottles or cans with water.
- Get to know your neighbours, and share the cost of more expensive items.
Beyond the household
The brochure also encourages people to join a voluntary defence organisation, take a CPR course, donate blood and talk with neighbours about shared preparedness. It explains Sweden’s total defence duty, the outdoor warning signal and where to find shelters.
A Swedish-style week kit
| Product | Best for | Key spec | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 L (5.3 US gal) jerrycan with tap | Storing and collecting water | Food grade | Check price on Amazon |
| Crank and solar radio | News without power | FM/AM | Check price on Amazon |
| Sleeping bag | Warmth in an unheated home | Comfort ≈ 0 °C (32 °F) or lower | Check price on Amazon |
| Camping stove | Cooking outdoors | Gas cartridges | Check price on Amazon |
| LED lantern | Long winter evenings | Battery-powered | Check price on Amazon |
| 20,000 mAh power bank | Phones | USB-C | Check price on Amazon |
We don’t list prices because they change often. Use the button to see the current price on Amazon.
For official information during an event in Sweden, use Krisinformation.se and Swedish Radio. For the wider European picture, see the EU 72-hour recommendation explained.
Questions people ask
What is the “In case of crisis or war” brochure?
A booklet produced by Sweden’s civil-defence agency on behalf of the government and distributed to every household in Sweden. The November 2024 edition is the fifth version Sweden has sent to its population. It is available in Swedish, Easy Swedish, English and many other languages.
How long should Swedish households be able to cope alone?
At least one week. The agency notes that 72 hours, used in North America and elsewhere, is better than nothing, but Sweden’s goal since 2024 has been “at least one week”.
How much water does Sweden recommend?
At least 3 litres per person per day, mainly for drinking and cooking. Store it in a dark, cool place, check its taste and smell once or twice a year, and keep containers or buckets with lids for collecting water from public tanks.
Who publishes the brochure now?
The brochure was produced by MSB, the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency. Since 1 January 2026 the agency has been called the Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency (Myndigheten för civilt försvar, MCF).
Where do I get official information in a crisis in Sweden?
From Krisinformation.se, Swedish Radio (Sveriges Radio), the national emergency number 112 for emergencies and 113 13 for information about serious events.
Keep reading
- The EU 72-hour recommendation explained
- How to keep warm without heating in a power cut
- How much water to store for 72 hours
- /kits/winter-storm/
Sources
- Sweden: In case of crisis or war (PDF, November 2024)
- Sweden: In case of crisis or war (brochure, English)
- Sweden: Basics of home emergency preparedness
- Krisinformation.se: official crisis information in Sweden
- Sweden, Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB): In case of crisis or war
- MCF: MSB becomes the Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency