Short answer. Belgium's National Crisis Centre (NCCN) recommends a kit for at least 72 hours in two parts: a home stock for sheltering without power, water, phone or internet, and a light grab-and-go backpack 12. The home stock starts with 3 to 10 litres of water per person per day and long-life food that needs no water, gas or electricity to prepare 12. The full official list follows, line by line.
What goes in the home stock?
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Bottled drinking water | 3 to 10 litres per person per day; 3 litres is just enough to drink and cook 12 |
| Long-life food needing no water, gas or electricity (canned meat, fish, vegetables or pulses, nuts, dried fruit, crackers, energy bars) | Enough for at least 72 hours 12 |
| Can opener (or pocket knife) | 1 12 |
| First-aid kit: bandages, plasters, compresses, scissors, tweezers, safety pins, painkillers, disinfectant | 1 1 |
| Wet wipes, toilet paper, hand sanitiser gel | Household supply 1 |
| Iodine tablets, taken only on the authorities' instruction | 1 box (free at pharmacies; one box covers 4 people) 123 |
| Torch, preferably wind-up (dynamo); spare batteries if battery-powered | 1 12 |
| Wind-up or battery radio, preferably DAB+ and FM | 1 12 |
| Rechargeable and spare batteries | Set 2 |
| Lighter or matches; candles or tea lights | Set 12 |
| Blankets, warm clothing | Per person 12 |
| Baby food and nappies (if young children) | As needed 12 |
| Pet food and water | Enough for 3 days 1 |
What goes in the grab-and-go backpack?
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Copies of important documents: insurance contracts, ID cards of household members, driving licence | 1 set 12 |
| List of family and friends' phone numbers and emergency numbers (utilities, doctor, insurer) | 1 12 |
| Pen and paper | 1 12 |
| Basic first-aid kit | 1 12 |
| Essential medicines | Reserve for at least 3 days 12 |
| Tissues, sanitary towels, toothpaste and toothbrush | 1 set 12 |
| Phone charger and charged power bank | 1 12 |
| Some cash for essentials (no large sums at home) | About 72 hours of basic needs 1 |
| Multi-purpose pocket knife | 1 1 |
| Whistle to signal rescuers | 1 12 |
| Bottled water | 1 or 2 bottles (1 litre per person) 1 |
| Biscuits, nuts or energy bars (no cans, to keep the bag light) | A few 12 |
What should I add for children and pets?
- Children: health and vaccination booklets, special baby food, nappies, a change of clothes and a few toys 1.
- Pets: medicines or a list of them, pet passport and vaccination booklet, the vet's contact details, a recent photo, two bowls and some food, waste bags, toys, collar or harness and leash, and a transport cage 1.
See also How do I prepare my pet for an emergency? and Emergency preparedness for children, seniors and people on medication.
How should the kit be stored?
In a fixed, accessible place that everyone in the household knows; rotate food and water before expiry; avoid cellars and garages, which are more exposed to flooding 1. A small kit in the car or at work, with a water bottle, a warm jumper and a blanket, is also advised 1. For the reasoning behind each item, see What goes in a 72-hour emergency kit? and What should be in a home first-aid kit?.
Turn this list into your plan
The official list above is the reference, and you can assemble everything on it yourself. The Phaenyx plan counts each line for your household, adds the risks around your home and comes with the Phaenyx Safe app. Build your Phaenyx plan.
Frequently asked questions
Does Belgium recommend a 72-hour kit?
Yes. The NCCN recommends being self-sufficient for at least 72 hours, in line with the recommendation across the European Union 1.
Why a wind-up torch and radio?
The NCCN prefers wind-up (dynamo) models, or battery models with spare batteries, so they work without mains power 12.
Should canned food go in the backpack?
No. The NCCN advises biscuits, nuts or energy bars in the backpack, to keep it light; cans belong in the home stock 12.
Sources
- Centre de crise National (NCCN), SPF Intérieur — Un kit d'urgence à la maison — https://centredecrise.be/fr/que-pouvez-vous-faire/preparez-un-kit-durgence/un-kit-durgence-la-maison (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Nationaal Crisiscentrum, FOD Binnenlandse Zaken — Samen voorbereid. Praktische gids. Bereid jezelf en je omgeving voor op noodsituaties — https://crisiscentrum.be/sites/default/files/documents/files/WEB-Brochure%20Samen%20voorbereid-NL.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Centre de crise National (risquenucleaire.be) — Aller chercher des comprimés d'iode chez le pharmacien — https://risquenucleaire.be/fr/comprimes-diode/aller-chercher-des-comprimes-diode-chez-le-pharmacien (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Belgium, 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
- Centre de crise National (NCCN), SPF Intérieur · Un kit d'urgence à la maison checked 2026-10-20
- Nationaal Crisiscentrum, FOD Binnenlandse Zaken · Samen voorbereid. Praktische gids. Bereid jezelf en je omgeving voor op noodsituaties checked 2026-10-20
- Centre de crise National (risquenucleaire.be) · Aller chercher des comprimés d'iode chez le pharmacien checked 2026-10-20