Winter preparedness quiz: 11 questions.
Power cuts, baths, fires, staying in touch in a disaster, online scams. Check what you think you know, true or false. Answers come from columns checked against official sources (written for Japan).
Your score appears here when you finish.
Q1On the nationwide earthquake early warning drill day, the drill alert also arrives on your phone.
Answer
Answer：FalseThe drill alert is not sent to phones as an emergency alert. Silence is normal.
More: Your phone stayed silent in the earthquake alert drill. That is normal: settings to check for the real thingQ2The free “00000JAPAN” Wi-Fi opened during disasters is encrypted.
Answer
Answer：FalseIt has no encryption. Avoid logging in or entering card numbers while connected.
More: Checking on family after a disaster: 171, web171 and the 00000JAPAN Wi-FiQ3You can try the 171 disaster message line on the 1st and 15th of every month.
Answer
Answer：TrueIt can also be tried over New Year and during disaster-prevention weeks. Practice messages are deleted afterwards.
More: Checking on family after a disaster: 171, web171 and the 00000JAPAN Wi-FiQ4The guideline for stored drinking water is about one litre per person per day.
Answer
Answer：FalseThe Prime Minister’s Office guideline is about three litres per person per day, for at least three days and ideally a week.
More: How many days of supplies at home and at work? Rolling stock and people with special needsQ5Smoke alarms at home should be replaced about ten years after they are installed.
Answer
Answer：TrueThe Fire and Disaster Management Agency asks people to test them with the button and replace them after about ten years.
More: Two winter risks at home: bathing accidents and house fires, and how families can prepareQ6On domestic flights, you may charge your phone from a power bank in the cabin (from 24 April 2026).
Answer
Answer：FalseThe transport ministry asks passengers not to charge devices from power banks in the cabin. Up to two may be carried.
More: Preventing power bank fires: buying, charging, disposing and the airline rulesQ7In a power cut, unplug electric heaters.
Answer
Answer：TrueSo they cannot switch themselves back on and start a fire when the power returns.
More: Preparing for winter blackouts and heavy snow: heating, carbon monoxide, cars and phone batteriesQ8On cold days, a long soak in water of 42°C or hotter is best.
Answer
Answer：FalseThe Consumer Affairs Agency suggests 41°C or cooler and no more than ten minutes, after warming the changing area and bathroom.
More: Two winter risks at home: bathing accidents and house fires, and how families can prepareQ9Public bodies do not phone households asking for disaster donations.
Answer
Answer：TrueThat is the Consumer Affairs Agency’s guidance. If in doubt, contact the body on a number you looked up yourself.
More: False information and scams that follow disasters and big news: what to check before you share or donateQ10On the JMA’s KiKiKuru map, purple corresponds to alert level 4.
Answer
Answer：TruePurple (“danger”) is level 4: decide to evacuate even without an order. Black is level 5.
More: Official sources to check in a disaster: hazard maps, Kikikuru, evacuation info and outagesQ11Putting two portable gas stoves side by side under a large pot is a quick and safe way to cook.
Answer
Answer：FalseHeat can build up and make a canister burst. NITE and the Consumer Affairs Agency warn against both.
More: Getting by in a power or water outage: bag cooking, toilets, carrying water and keeping warm