🚨 The Federal Office of Civil Protection recommends a 14-day emergency supply.
In a disaster, supplies can be interrupted for days.
1. The 14-Day Emergency Supply – What do you need?
The emergency supply should bridge 10 days (BBK recommendation) to 14 days (extended).
1.1 Water (most important category)
- 3 liters per person/day = 42 liters per person for 14 days
- Store in: 1.5L bottles, 5L/10L canisters, rain barrel
- Dark, cool (<15°C), separated from chemicals
- Sealed bottled water: 2-5 years shelf life
1.2 Food (minimum 2,200 kcal/day)
| Category | Amount/Person/14 Days | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Grain products | 4 kg | Rice, pasta, oatmeal, bread spread |
| Canned goods | 10-15 cans | Vegetables, fruit, beans, lentils, soups |
| Meat/Fish | 2-3 kg | Canned sausage, tuna, chicken |
| Fats/Oils | 1 liter | Rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, butter (can) |
| Dairy products | 2 kg | UHT milk, cheese (shelf-stable), yogurt |
| Fruit/Vegetables (shelf-stable) | 3 kg | Apples, potatoes, onions, carrots (cool, dark) |
| Sweets/Snacks | 500g | Chocolate, nuts, dried fruit, energy bars |
| Salt/Spices | 250g | Salt, pepper, herbs, broth |
1.3 Hygiene & Medicine
- Toilet paper: 2 rolls/person/week = 4 rolls for 14 days
- Wet wipes: 2 packs (when water is scarce)
- Soap/Disinfection: Bar soap lasts forever
- Trash bags: 20 pieces (hygienic disposal)
- Medications: Personal medications for 4 weeks
- First aid kit: Extended (see first aid kit article)
2. Storage & Rotation
- Cool, dry, dark: Basement, pantry, cabinet
- FIFO principle: First In, First Out – New supplies at back, old at front
- Check regularly: Check expiration dates every 6 months
- Canned goods: Shelf-stable 2-5 years, often longer (safe)
- Grains: In airtight buckets with Oxy-Sorb (oxygen absorbers) = 10+ years
- Documentation: Keep list with quantity, expiration, location
3. Checklist: 14-Day Emergency Supply
- ☐ Water: 42 liters per person
- ☐ Grain products: 4 kg per person
- ☐ Canned goods: 10-15 cans per person
- ☐ Meat/Fish: 2-3 kg per person
- ☐ Oil/Fat: 1 liter
- ☐ Dairy products: 2 kg
- ☐ Fruit/Vegetables (shelf-stable): 3 kg
- ☐ Sweets/Nuts: 500g
- ☐ Salt/Spices: 250g
- ☐ Toilet paper: 4 rolls/person
- ☐ Hygiene items, soap, wet wipes
- ☐ Medications (4 weeks)
- ☐ Extended first aid kit
- ☐ Cooking option (camping stove + cartridges)
- ☐ Water filter/disinfection