Guide · Emergency supplies
Germany’s Federal Office of Civil Protection (BBK) recommends being able to supply yourself for up to ten days. Here is how to work out water and food for your household using the official guidance.
The Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) recommends being able to supply yourself for up to ten days. It also stresses that even a supply for at least three days helps a great deal.
Emergency supplies therefore do not have to be built all at once. A step-by-step approach works well: first a reserve for three days, then for seven and finally for ten days.
According to the BBK, an adult needs at least 1.5 litres of fluid a day. If you want to cook, plan an extra 0.5 litres of water – about 2 litres per person per day in total. That gives these amounts:
These figures are for adults. Plan for children, older or ill people and pets according to your own situation.
During a power outage, the cooker and fridge usually do not work. The BBK therefore recommends food that does not need refrigeration and does not need cooking, or only briefly. Its examples include:
Check best-before dates regularly and use older supplies in everyday life before replacing them. This keeps the reserve fresh without anything going to waste.
For an exact calculation for your household, the German federal food-preparedness portal offers a free supply calculator (link below, in German).
BLACKOUTBOX M contains water (14 litres) and food for one person over seven days. BLACKOUTBOX L, XL Household and XL Medical are designed for one person over 14 days or two people over seven days. S Complete contains a first reserve with food and 6 litres of drinking water for two people over three days. S Basic contains no water or food.
These configurations can be extended to up to six people and 14 days after individual planning. Prices are available on request.
Further sources
