Be prepared – how to stay safe and manage on your own during power outages, extreme weather, or other emergencies​:

Emergencies can happen anywhere – even in student housing. Power outages, water shortages, extreme weather, or internet failures can occur without warning. Being prepared helps you stay safe and manage on your own until help arrives.

Why personal preparedness matters

In a larger crisis, public assistance may take time to reach everyone.
Norwegian authorities recommend that all households – including students – should be able to manage for up to seven days without outside help. Whether you live alone, share an apartment, or stay in a dorm, a few simple preparations can make a big difference. You can find more about crisis management and preparedness in Ås Municipality HERE

Your student housing emergency checklist 🧰: Here’s a simple list of essential items to keep at home. You can store these in a box under your bed or in a cupboard:

  • 🔦 Flashlight – battery-powered or rechargeable with a crank/solar cell
  • 🔋 Extra batteries or a power bank for your phone and electronics
  • 💧 Drinking water – at least 20 liters per person for one week
  • 🥫 Non-perishable food – items that don’t need cooling or cooking as crispbread, dry food, nuts, canned goods.
  • 🔥 Cooking options – camping stove or small grill 
  • 🧣 Warm clothes, blankets, and an emergency foil blanket - in case of power failure
  • 💊 First aid kit and essential medication
  • 📻 DAB radio with batteries or a crank to stay informed if power and internet are down
  • 💵 Some cash, plus toilet paper and hygiene items

Smart tips for students 

  • Talk with roommates or neighbors – you can create a shared emergency kit.
  • Know where your nearest emergency exit and fire extinguisher are located.
  • Keep your phone fully charged when bad weather or emergency alerts are issued.
  • Follow updates from Varsom.no, Yr.no, and the DSB (Directorate for Civil Protection).

Water supply: Ås Municipality receives its water from the Oppegård Water Treatment.
If the main supply fails, there are three alternative sources and mobile water tanks available for residents.

As part of its preparedness plan, SiÅs stores emergency water tanks at Pomona, which can also be deployed to Skogveien and Pentagon if needed. Students are encouraged to keep some water stored in containers as part of their own preparedness.

Shelters: Public and private shelters are designed to protect the population during war or crisis situations.
You can find more information about shelters from the Norwegian Civil Defence. In Ås Municipality, there is a public shelter located at the Town Hall, Skoleveien 1.

Other information: Find more advice and a complete preparedness checklist at Sikkerhverdag.no – managed by the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB).

Sikresiden.no offers reliable information about national emergency preparedness and crisis management in Norway. Official updates are also available at Regjeringen.no.

Emergency numbers 

📞 110 – Fire
📞 112 – Police
📞 113 – Ambulance

Link: DSB – Self-preparedness Self-preparedness