Think ahead: being prepared for an emergency is perfectly normal
The Dutch government has launched a national campaign called Denk Vooruit (Think Ahead). The aim is to help residents be better prepared for unexpected events. All households in the Netherlands will receive a booklet with practical information about what you can do to prepare for an emergency.
Prepare yourself
We live in a time when many things seem self-evident: electricity from the wall socket, reception on your phone, or full shelves in the supermarket. But in an emergency, that can suddenly change. Think of prolonged power outages, severe storms, flooding, or extreme heat.
In the Netherlands, emergency services are well prepared, but in the event of a major emergency, the government and emergency services cannot be everywhere at once. That is why the government asks residents to be prepared themselves, so that you can manage at home for the first 72 hours. This provides peace of mind and prevents unnecessary risks.
Tips for an emergency kit
The Denk Vooruit booklet contains useful tips for putting together your own emergency kit. This will help you get by for a while if there is a (temporary) power, water, or communication outage. Examples of items to include in an emergency kit are:
- water and nonperishable food
- warm clothing or blankets
- flashlight and batteries
- personal items such as medication, baby food, or pet food
Store the package in a fixed, easily accessible place and check it twice a year. More tips and background information can be found at Denkvooruit.nl.
What to do during an emergency
If an emergency situation arises in the Netherlands and the sirens go off, go indoors immediately and close doors and windows.
In serious situations, you will receive a message via NL-Alert on your mobile phone. More information about this can be found at NL-Alert.nl.
During an emergency, it is important to follow reliable information. In Fryslân, you can contact:
- Fryslân Veilig – Fryslanveilig.nl;
- Omrop Fryslân – emergency channel (TV and radio: 92.2 and 92.5 FM).
In addition, as a municipality, we have additional information about what you can do during an emergency situation. You can read this information at t-diel.nl/crisisbeheersing.