All 8.5 million households in the Netherlands will receive a government booklet titled Prepare for an emergency from next week, as part of a national campaign to raise awareness of the impact of crises such as flooding, war or cyberattacks.

The 33-page brochure, which will be delivered between 25 November and 10 January, sets out practical steps for the first 72 hours of a major incident.

For example, the booklet says, a successful attack on the power grid could leave people unable to contact family, petrol stations would close, supermarkets could empty and the supply of fresh water may halt.

A few hours later, the brochure says, you may find yourself under a blanket, a candle burning on the table and a wind-up radio playing the latest emergency updates.

Earlier this year the Dutch government said that every household should stockpile enough emergency supplies to last for 72 hours in case of war, a cyberattack or another major disaster.

The booklet adds to this call to action, saying people should also draw up an emergency plan and decide, for example, who should pick up children from school or check on relatives. The booklet urges people to talk to their neighbours about their preparations as well.

Caretaker defence minister Ruben Brekelmans said the aim is not to frighten people but to make them more resilient. “If people think carefully about the first 72 hours of a crisis, they become more prepared and feel safer,” he told Nieuwsuur.

The booklet will also be available online in a variety of languages from November 25, including English, French, Polish, Arabic, Chinese and Spanish.