Several European governments now publish guidance for civilians on what to do in a military crisis. Sweden sends its brochure In case of crisis or war to every household. Lithuania's Ministry of National Defence published If war or crisis comes: what should I do in 2024. Slovakia's Ministry of the Interior covers crisis or armed conflict, and Poland's Poradnik bezpieczeństwa has a section on air attack. None of them says war is coming. They exist so that people know what to do if it did.
The basis: cope on your own for a while
The household supplies these guides recommend for war are the same ones they recommend for storms or blackouts: water, food, warmth, medicines and a way to get information. Sweden asks households to be able to manage on their own for at least a week, so that help can go first to those who need it most. Slovakia says the most important things are water, food, heat, medicines, being able to get information from the authorities, and being able to contact relatives. It recommends 3 to 5 litres of drinking water per person per day.
If you have a 72-hour kit, you already have most of what these guides list. Our post on 72 hours, 7 days or 14 days explains how to scale it up.
Know your sirens
Signals differ by country, so learn yours. Three examples from the official guides:
| Country | Signal | Meaning and what to do |
|---|---|---|
| Sweden | Short bursts for 1 minute | Air raid: take cover immediately, in a shelter, cellar or a room without windows |
| Sweden | 7 seconds on, 14 off, for 2 minutes | Important public announcement: go indoors, close windows and doors, switch off ventilation if you can, listen to Sveriges Radio P4 |
| Sweden | One continuous 30-second tone | All clear: you may leave the shelter |
| Poland | Modulated tone for 3 minutes | Alarm: turn on the radio or TV and follow the messages |
| Poland | Steady tone for 3 minutes | Alarm cancelled |
| Slovakia | Rising and falling tone for 2 minutes | General threat, which in wartime also covers a possible air attack: shelter in a safe place such as a cellar or closed room |
| Slovakia | Steady tone for 2 minutes | End of threat |
Sirens are tested regularly: in Sweden at 15:00 on the first Monday that isn't a public holiday in March, June, September and December; in Slovakia, usually on the second Friday of the month at 12:00.
Taking shelter
Sweden's guide lists protection from best to most basic: a civil defence shelter, then cellars, garages and underground metro stations, then a room without windows, then a tunnel or a wall. If you're outside with no time to reach cover, lie down on the ground, preferably in a pit or ditch. Poland gives the same advice about open ground.
- Find the nearest shelter now. Sweden says you are not assigned a shelter: go to the nearest one. It publishes a map of all shelters at mcf.se. In Poland, ask your gmina (municipal) office or the fire service. Sweden suggests locating shelters near your home, school and workplace.
- Use the stairs, not the lift (Poland).
- Bring your grab bag. Sweden suggests something to eat, warm clothes and toiletries, and being prepared to stay a few days.
- Don't leave too early. Poland warns against leaving the shelter in a hurry. Sweden says to wait for the all-clear.
- Text rather than call, to avoid overloading the network (Poland).
Stay informed, carefully
Every guide stresses the radio. Sweden calls Sveriges Radio P4 the official channel for emergency information, which will continue to broadcast in a crisis or war. All 24 national guides we compiled list a battery, solar or crank radio.
The guides are just as clear about false information. Sweden warns that foreign powers use disinformation to sow mistrust and weaken the will to defend. Its brochure states: "If Sweden is attacked, we will never surrender. Any suggestion to the contrary is false." Slovakia notes that crises are an ideal time to spread false reports. Their advice is similar:
- Be wary of content that provokes a strong reaction.
- Check information against several sources, and confirm serious news with official ones.
- Only share what you know comes from a reliable source.
If you're told to evacuate
Sweden says evacuation instructions will come through public announcements and P4, and that people who can't leave on their own will get help, along with somewhere to stay and food on arrival. Slovakia advises switching off gas, water and electricity, locking up, and registering with the authorities when you arrive. Lithuania's advice is to listen carefully to the evacuation announcement, tell your family and take your emergency bag. Keep documents and medicines in it already.
Your role
Some guides explain what is expected of residents. In Sweden, everyone from the year they turn 16 until the end of the year they turn 70 has a total defence duty. During a heightened state of alert, Sweden says to go to work as usual unless you have a specific wartime posting. Sweden suggests practical ways to help now: a course in emergency CPR, donating blood if you can, joining a voluntary defence organisation, and talking to your neighbours about preparing together. Lithuania's booklet ends with the forms of service open to residents, such as the volunteer forces and the Riflemen's Union.
Looking after yourself and children
Sweden's brochure has a page on worry. It suggests talking to people you trust, helping others prepare, eating and sleeping well, and limiting how much news you take in. With children, it advises explaining the situation, sticking to verified information, avoiding unnecessary detail, and being honest when you don't know the answer.
Read your own country's guide
The sources used here:
- Sweden: In case of crisis or war
- Lithuania: If war or crisis comes: what should I do
- Poland: Poradnik bezpieczeństwa
- Slovakia: Čo robiť v prípade krízy alebo ozbrojeného konfliktu
Our checklist follows your country's list and sizes it for your household.