Almost half of Danes are unsure about following home preparedness recommendations in case of a crisis, according to a new survey by Voxmeter. The survey, conducted for Ritzau, indicates that only 26 percent of Danes have either already followed or stocked up on the authorities’ recommended home preparedness kit. This includes, among other things, three liters of water per person per day and food for three days.
The survey, conducted from June 21 to June 24 among 1013 representative respondents, reveals that a whopping 72 percent have not followed these recommendations. The results came shortly after the Emergency Management Agency (Beredskabsstyrelsen) announced their advice for home emergency preparedness during the People’s Meeting (Folkemødet).
Associate Professor Nina Blom Andersen from Copenhagen University College, who researches emergency preparedness and communication, believes it is understandable that many citizens have not immediately changed their behavior. She sees the figures as an important indicator for future government work.
“It is important that authorities are constantly aware that there is a group of citizens they need to pay special attention to in case of a crisis,” says Nina Blom Andersen.
The survey also shows that 40 percent of respondents are unsure whether they will purchase the necessary items for home preparedness in the near future. Meanwhile, about 26 percent are certain they will do so, while a corresponding share has decided not to follow the recommendations.
According to Nina Blom Andersen, getting the population to take home preparedness seriously is a long process. She emphasizes that a single information campaign is not sufficient.
“There needs to be persistent focus on this issue, otherwise it may fade into the background,” she says. She adds that continuous attention from the media, authorities, and people in their social networks is crucial to change behavior.
Blom Andersen also points out the importance of a municipal and local focus on home preparedness. Authorities plan to send the new home preparedness advice to citizens via digital mail and are also considering distributing an information leaflet to households.
Both Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen (V) and the Emergency Management Agency urge citizens to “calmly” stock up on their home preparedness kit and stress that the advice is advisory.