Many Finns are missing the most crucial emergency supply

Not all Finns are well enough prepared for emergencies, although Finland fares well in international comparisons. A survey by the Finnish National Rescue Association studied citizens’ preparedness for emergencies in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Estonia.

The area most in need of improvement in Finland – and in the other surveyed countries – is access to water. Fewer than one in three respondents has enough bottled water to last at least three days. Bottled water can be crucial in the event of, for example, a prolonged power failure.

‘Too many people trust in there always being tap water available. Water is vital for life, and humans need approximately two litres of drinking water a day,’ says Essi Kulju, Preparedness Specialist at the Finnish National Rescue Association.

Of the surveyed nationalities, Finns have the best stocks of clean, lidded buckets or canisters. Having a clean bucket means being able to collect water from temporary water distribution points that are set up during long power outages and water supply disruptions.

Around one in two Finns believes they are well prepared, while the other half admit to ill-preparedness

Of Finnish respondents, 47 per cent rate their own level of preparedness as good or very good. The most common reason for being well-prepared is the idea that self-preparedness is everyone’s responsibility. The second most common reason is one’s own lifestyle.

Nearly 90 percent of Finnish respondents say that they have a stock of essential medication, spare batteries and a handheld torch or a head torch at home. Moreover, around 80 per cent have enough food for at least three days as per the national 72-hour preparedness recommendation, as well as first aid equipment.

‘However, more than half of all respondents rate their own level of preparedness as poor or very poor. The most common reason for lack of preparedness is failure to recognise the importance of preparedness,’ says Tuula Kekki, Research Manager at the Finnish National Rescue Association.

‘Preparedness should be routine for people. A burst pipe, for example, can lead to disruptions in water supply, and winter storms can cause power cuts. These kinds of situations are easier to handle if you have prepared yourself with at least bottled water and food,’ Kulju says.

One of the reasons for poor preparedness is people’s trust in society’s ability to keep functioning despite disruptions.

The level of preparedness for long power outages differs between neighbouring countries

The survey revealed that there are considerable differences in the level of preparedness for long power outages between the countries. A large percentage of Finns estimated that they would manage on their own for up to three days. The period that respondents felt they could manage without electricity was the longest in Norway (seven days) and the second longest in Sweden (five days).

Besides supplies, preparation requires knowledge and skill. Three in four Finns believe that they would be able to prepare food without electricity.

Finns were also more clued up than respondents in other countries when it came to finding information without the internet.

‘However, fewer than one in two Finns has a battery-powered radio. A battery-powered radio is the best way to get information when the internet is down. It is worth investing in a battery-powered radio and spare batteries before an emergency strikes,’ Kulju says.

The Finnish National Rescue Association’s survey consisted of an online questionnaire that was answered by 1,000 respondents in each of the participating countries (Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Estonia) in October 2024. The survey was funded by the National Emergency Supply Agency.

The recommendation in Sweden and Estonia is for people to have enough emergency supplies for a week, while the Finnish, Danish and Norwegian authorities recommend a supply of three days. Respondents in Sweden and Estonia were consequently asked whether they had enough food and bottled water for a week.