Short answer. Iceland's Department of Civil Protection (Almannavarnir) says every home should have an emergency kit and refers households to the Icelandic Red Cross programme "3 dagar – Ertu klár?" ("3 days – are you prepared?") 12. Every household should be able to manage on its own for at least three days, with at least 3 litres of water per person per day and cash for at least three days 3.
How long should an Icelandic household be able to manage alone?
At least three days. The Red Cross programme puts it in one sentence: "Mikilvægt er að öll heimili á Íslandi geti komist af í að minnsta kosti þrjá daga í hættuástandi" — it is important that every home in Iceland can get by for at least three days in an emergency 3. The English version of the programme carries the same message 4.
For how a kit of this length is built, see the 72-hour kit guide; for agencies that ask for longer, see two weeks of supplies.
Which items have an official quantity?
Apart from single items (one tin opener, one first-aid kit, one list of phone numbers 35), only three supplies in the Icelandic guidance are quantified 34:
| Item | Official quantity |
|---|---|
| Drinking water | At least 3 litres per person per day 3 |
| Cash | Enough for at least 3 days, since cards and ATMs may not work 3 |
| Pet food | Food for 3 days 4 |
Food is described by duration rather than weight: tinned food for everyone in the household, people and animals, for at least three days, and dry food with a long shelf life such as pasta or noodles 3. Everything else on the list is named without a quantity. The full line-by-line list is on the Iceland kit checklist.
What does Iceland say about water?
Store at least 3 litres per person per day, and also plan water for flushing the toilet 3. Stored water keeps one year in sealed containers 3. For containers and rotation, see water storage containers and how much water per person.
What else should be in the household supply?
The Red Cross list groups the rest of the supply around cooking, light, information, health and documents 35:
- a camping stove, gas hob or gas barbecue, with a gas canister and a tin opener;
- a torch with batteries stored separately and replaced regularly, candles and matches or a lighter;
- a wind-up or battery-powered radio with spare batteries;
- daily medicines, painkillers and a first-aid kit;
- hygiene products, from toothbrushes to nappies and bags for personal hygiene;
- blankets, a charger and a charged power bank, a multi-tool and strong repair tape;
- a written list of important phone numbers, and passports, driving licences and other irreplaceable documents.
Households with animals should add food, water, a carrier and any pet medication 4. Our guides on cooking without power, emergency radios, pets and important documents give more detail.
What about the car and the heating?
Almannavarnir also recommends a smaller kit in the car: a blanket, water, energy bars, a first-aid kit with a seat-belt cutter, a small shovel, a torch, a whistle, and matches and candles in a tin 12. See also our winter car kit.
If hot water or heating fails, Almannavarnir advises keeping to one main room, covering windows with blankets or mattresses, and following official instructions on the use of electric heaters 12. Our guides on extreme cold and power outages cover the general case.
Is there a household plan?
Yes. The "3 dagar" programme provides a printable checklist, a fillable household plan and an English version, and Almannavarnir keeps its own household-plan form (heimilisáætlun, 2016 PDF) 346. No national booklet is mailed to households 3. See how to write a family emergency plan.
Frequently asked questions
How much water should I store in Iceland?
At least 3 litres per person per day for at least three days, plus water for flushing the toilet 3.
Why keep cash in Iceland?
The Red Cross list notes that cards and ATMs may not work in an emergency, and asks for enough cash for at least three days 3.
Does Iceland send a preparedness booklet to every home?
No. Almannavarnir refers people to the online "3 dagar – Ertu klár?" programme run by the Icelandic Red Cross 13.
Is the Icelandic list available in English?
Yes. The Red Cross publishes "3 days – are you prepared?" in English 4.
Sources
- Almannavarnir (Ríkislögreglustjóri) — Forvarnir og fræðsla — https://www.almannavarnir.is/forvarnir-og-fraedsla/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Almannavarnir (Ríkislögreglustjóri) — Heimilið: Forvarnir og viðbragð — https://www.almannavarnir.is/heimilid/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Rauði krossinn á Íslandi — 3 dagar - Ertu klár? — https://www.raudikrossinn.is/verkefni/innanlandsverkefni/hamfarir-og-neydaradstod/3-dagar-ertu-klar/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Rauði krossinn á Íslandi (Icelandic Red Cross) — 3 days - are you prepared? — https://www.raudikrossinn.is/english/projects/domestic-projects/disaster-services-and-emergency-relief/3-days-are-you-prepared/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Rauði krossinn á Íslandi — Það er mikilvægt að öll heimili landsins geti komist af í að minnsta kosti 3 daga. (Viðlagakassi prentanlegur listi) — https://www.raudikrossinn.is/media/30fh3vkd/ertu-klar-listi.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Almannavarnir (Ríkislögreglustjóri) — Heimilisáætlun (PDF) — https://www.almannavarnir.is/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/heimilisáætlun.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Iceland, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- Almannavarnir (Ríkislögreglustjóri) · Forvarnir og fræðsla checked 2026-10-20
- Almannavarnir (Ríkislögreglustjóri) · Heimilið: Forvarnir og viðbragð checked 2026-10-20
- Rauði krossinn á Íslandi · 3 dagar - Ertu klár? checked 2026-10-20
- Rauði krossinn á Íslandi (Icelandic Red Cross) · 3 days - are you prepared? checked 2026-10-20
- Rauði krossinn á Íslandi · Það er mikilvægt að öll heimili landsins geti komist af í að minnsta kosti 3 daga. (Viðlagakassi prentanlegur listi) checked 2026-10-20
- Almannavarnir (Ríkislögreglustjóri) · Heimilisáætlun (PDF) checked 2026-10-20