Campaign: When you can take care of yourself, you help those who can't

A new nationwide campaign focuses on the Danes' home preparedness.

Denmark is facing the most serious risk and threat picture since the Second World War. Hybrid threats, a heightened security policy situation in Europe and severe weather events can all affect the everyday lives of Danes.

Therefore, we must be prepared for crises. If, for example, the power or heating goes out, you should be able to fend for yourself for three days, according to the authorities' recommendation. Among other things, you must have enough water in storage for the whole family, the opportunity to prepare food and to get information from the authorities over an FM radio.

Minister for Civil Protection and Emergency Management Torsten Schack Pedersen says:

"The threats to the everyday lives of Danes have become more and more serious. Now we are starting a campaign where we say: "When you can take care of yourself, you help those who cannot". Because if you and your loved ones can fend for themselves for three days, then the authorities can focus where the need is greatest. When everyone who can takes on their personal responsibility, we also strengthen the community during a crisis."

Laila Reenberg, Director General of the Danish Agency for Civil Protection, says:

"Many Danes are well on their way to having a home emergency preparedness. We are very happy about that. It is a major cultural change for Danes to be prepared for crises, and therefore we must also continuously focus on the area. Our campaign will get more people to reach the goal of their home preparedness."

Facts

About the campaign:

The goal of the campaign is to get more citizens to strengthen their home preparedness and initiate reflection on their own home preparedness. 'When you can take care of yourself, you help those who can't', is the main message of the campaign.

By strengthening its own home preparedness, the authorities can focus on helping vulnerable citizens in a crisis situation. The content of the campaign is based on the recommendations from the Prepared for Crises leaflet from 2024.

In weeks 48, 49, 50, citizens will be able to meet the campaign across the country via TV, social media, screens in shopping centres, advertisements in local newspapers, online news media, etc.

In connection with the campaign, a new online Emergency Calculator is launched on www.samsik.dk/forberedt, where citizens can get an adapted and clear list of e.g. food and necessities that can be included in the household's home preparedness. The contingency calculator is also based on the Prepared for crises folder from 2024.

Megaphone measurement:

A year ago, a number of authorities came up with joint advice for Danes so that we can be better prepared during crises. A survey from this summer showed that 4 out of 5 know the recommendations well or to some extent. However, knowledge of the specific recommendations on, for example, providing 3 litres of water per person per day is lagging behind.

Megafon conducted a survey on behalf of the Danish Civil Protection Agency in July 2025. It was conducted as a combined web and telephone survey and is based on 1,010 useful interviews. The results of the survey can be read here: Home preparedness August 2025

Read more about threats and risks against Denmark in the National Risk Picture