Preparedness tends to bring winter to mind. Cold, storms, power cuts in the dark. But disruptions happen in summer too. Last August the power went out across the whole of Gotland overnight, and the region asked everyone to go easy on the drinking water. In summer you are also often away from your own municipality, further from help if something happens. This list is for that season.
How many days should your preparedness last?
At least seven. The MCF, formerly the MSB, recommends every household be able to manage without help from society for at least a week. That holds all year, including when you are at the summer house.
How much water should you keep at home?
Count on at least three litres of drinking water per person per day, plus more for hygiene and cooking. For a family of four over seven days that quickly becomes a lot to store. A water filter covers the same need without keeping hundreds of litres on hand.
Water checklist:
- Drinking water or a water filter for at least seven days
- A canister with a tap for collecting water if mains supply fails
- A smaller bottle with a built-in filter to take with you
What do you do when the power goes out?
You need light, a way to cook and a way to stay informed. The mobile network can be down at the same time.
Power and light checklist:
- A head torch or torch with charged batteries
- A power bank, charged and ready
- A gas stove with fuel for a hot meal
- A wind-up or battery radio. P4 is the Swedish emergency channel
What do you need for warmth and shelter?
Even a Swedish summer night turns cold without heating, especially in a house close to the water.
Warmth and shelter checklist:
- An emergency sleeping bag or blanket per person
- Dry change of clothes
- Matches or a lighter, kept dry
First aid and medication
The pharmacy may be closed or far away. Prescription medication is the hardest thing to replace in the moment.
Health checklist:
- A first aid kit
- Your own medication for at least a week
- Hygiene items that work without water, such as wet wipes
What is easy to forget?
The practical things you only notice when they are missing.
Other essentials checklist:
- Cash in small denominations. Card payments can be down
- A paper list of important phone numbers
- Copies of ID, insurance documents and prescriptions
- Preparedness for your pets too
How do you keep all of this together?
This is where most people come unstuck. They own the things, but spread across drawers, wardrobes and the garage. When something does happen, the time goes on searching.
Kapsel is built for exactly that. One bag, three capsules and over 30 components, kept in one place, designed to stand ready where you can see it. And built to come with you to the summer house or the car when you leave.
Real preparedness is not about whether something happens. It is about how well you act when it does.