3 days - are you prepared?

A situation may arise where credit cards and cash machines do not work in an emergency. It is therefore a good idea to keep cash in a safe place. Have enough cash for the family to last for at least 3 days.

A primus stove, gas hob or barbecue will be very useful during a power cut. Let's make sure we have such equipment and plenty of gas.

Toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet paper, nappies, sanitary products, wet wipes, bags for personal hygiene, soaps and shampoo.

Few things are more annoying than a phone with a dead battery, and in an emergency, it is essential to be able to charge your phone. Therefore, we need to have a charger available, and a power bank is also useful if the power is out.

It is good to have tools and good tape on hand to carry out minor repairs, e.g. during a storm.

We also need to think about our dear pets. They also need food and water, and remember a carrier if you need to evacuate your home and go to a mass care centre.

We need to take good care of passports, driving licences and other ID's, and also if there are any important documents in the home that need to be protected. Let's give that a good thought. Most of this is electronic, but not all of it.

In our homes, there is usually something that is valuable or has great sentimental value. We are not suggesting putting these items in a box, but it is a good idea to make a list of what we would want to save in case of an evacuation. These could be photographs, heirlooms or other irreplaceable valuables.

Let's involve the children in these preparations. They have their own needs. Ask them what they would take with them in case of an evacuation.

Please note that it is best to get advice from an insurance agent regarding damage from natural disasters.

• Life and critical illness insurance
• Car insurance
• Home insurance
• Income protection insurance

It is important to have all your insurance in order and to ask yourself these 3 important questions:

Do you need to add anything to ensure your and your family's financial security if you suffer a loss?

Do I have cash ready if the banking system collapses?

Do I have an emergency fund?

• Passport
• Driving licence
• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate
• Prescriptions

It is important to make sure that important documents are kept in a safe place. Fortunately, many of these documents are in electronic form, but it is good to keep this in mind, for example, if the power goes out for an extended period.

Those with pets also need to think about their animals. You need to consider food and other things the animals require.

People who have had to evacuate their homes have put themselves in danger by returning home to rescue their animals.

If you need to stay at a mass care centre, it is important to have a cage for your animals.

If there are small children or infants in the household, it is essential to consider their needs. Keep this in mind when you pack your emergency kit.

If you need to evacuate your home:

Mass care centres are not always equipped with necessities such as nappies, formula, and other items.

If your child has a food allergy, it is essential to consider this. Mass care centres may not have everything needed if your child is on a special diet.

Remember to grab the children's favourite toys in the event of an evacuation.

Items that are valuable and have sentimental value and you would like to have with you.

Most of us own items that are valuable to us, either financially or sentimentally. Consider keeping these items accessible and easy to take with you in the event of an evacuation.

It's a good idea to make a list of these items, because in the chaos that can ensue, there's a risk that something will be forgotten. The family could go over this together so that each person can be responsible for their own things.

It is a good idea to have a box ready to put valuables in should an evacuation be necessary.

• Think about what factors would cause you significant stress or fear, such as separation from family, severe weather, earthquakes, or other events.
• Be aware of how you might react under such pressure. How do you handle unexpected events, pressure, stress, and fear?
• Think about how you generally cope with increased pressure, stress, and fear. Do you know ways and methods to deal with stress and fear and achieve balance?

An emergency can be very stressful. To minimise stress, it is important to be mentally prepared, know your own reactions, and be aware of the tools we have to cope with the stress. This way, we make better and more composed decisions when danger is imminent. This method is well-known among athletes for achieving better results.

People's mental and physical reactions to trauma can vary and may be determined by the type of trauma and how we cope with it.

In the aftermath of a disaster or emergency, all sorts of uncomfortable thoughts and feelings can arise, and our behavior can change.

Trauma has both physical and mental consequences that are normal reactions to abnormal circumstances.

• Insomnia
• Headache
• Muscle tension and pain
• Rapid heartbeat
• Nausea
• Anxiety
• Poor concentration
• Guilt
• Sadness
• Anger
• Uncomfortable memories
• Avoidance (We avoid discussing the event)

Some people experience numbness or feel nothing, have difficulty making daily decisions, and may even isolate themselves. Sometimes, alcohol and drug use increases in the aftermath of trauma.

• Maintain a daily routine and do things that bring you pleasure
• Eat healthy food, get regular sleep, and exercise
• Accept help
• Allow yourself to feel bad sometimes and to grieve
• Take one step at a time
• Not turn to alcohol and drugs

Children react differently to trauma and loss than adults. Their mood can fluctuate and suddenly change from being sad to playing and having fun.

• They can become aggressive towards caregivers and other children
• They often become very clingy with their caregivers
• Separation anxiety
• Reverting to infantile behaviour such as thumb-sucking, bed-wetting, or being unable to sleep alone

If case of a power outage it is wise to unplug sensitive devices such as TVs, computers, hot tubs, and other electronically controlled equipment. Make sure that the stove, washing machines, and oven are turned off.

Have a flashlight and headlamp readily available (in the emergency kit).

There are various ways to cook during a power outage. A camping stove, grill, and other cooking appliances that do not run on electricity are useful here.

HS Veitur - Natural disasters

If the water system goes down, it's important to have water for drinking and cooking.

It's a good idea to plan for 3 liters of water per person per day.

Use water sparingly.

Get advice from utility companies regarding things that could be damaged.

Instructions- water outage

Prevent water damage

HS Veitur - Náttúruhamfarir

If there is no internet connection, you can't use credit cards. In that case, it's good to have cash on hand.

On Island.is, you can find various materials and instructions about air pollution from volcanic eruptions in Icelandic, English, and Polish. This includes gas pollution charts in these languages, which can be used to interpret recommendations based on measurements on the Environment Agency of Iceland website.