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What to do if there is a fuel shortage

Official updatesLU-Alert · RTL, 100.7 · 112

Do this now

  1. Follow official news on Status: Verified, infocrise.lu and LU-Alert. Any limits on buying fuel are announced there.
  2. Buy only the fuel you need, and do not fill extra cans. Panic buying empties the stations for everyone, and a limit per customer may apply, for example at motorway service stations.
  3. Avoid unnecessary journeys. Work from home if you can, share cars, take public transport, cycle or walk.
  4. Save the fuel you have for what matters most: essential work, medical visits and collecting children.
  5. If you heat with oil, wood or pellets, check how much is left and use it sparingly. Heat one room rather than the whole house: see No heating.
  6. Plan for knock-on effects: buses may run less often, and deliveries to shops may slow down.
  7. Check on neighbours who depend on a car for care, shopping or doctor's visits, and offer them a lift or to shop for them.

Before

Keep a reserve

  • Keep the car at least Status: Verified full at all times, and fill up before it drops lower. Keep an electric car charged.
  • If you store fuel, use only approved containers, keep them outside the living space and away from heat, and follow the rules for your building. Use stored fuel and replace it at least every Status: Verified, diesel especially.
  • If you heat with oil, wood or pellets, refill before winter, and never let the stock fall below what you need for Status: Verified.
  • Keep food, water and medicines for at least Status: Verified, so a shortage does not force extra trips. See the emergency kit checklist.

Plan to drive less

  • Know how you would get to work, school and the doctor without a car: bus and train routes, a bicycle that works, a colleague to share with.
  • Find out which fuel stations near you can keep pumping in a Loss of power in your street or part of town, usually for a few hours.Loss of power in your street or part of town, usually for a few hours.Power cuts and blackouts. Without electricity, most pumps stop.
  • Agree with neighbours or other parents how you would share trips.

Fuel restrictions

  • In a serious oil supply crisis, Luxembourg first releases its emergency stocks. The government’s crisis team can then limit purchases and decide who gets fuel first.

After

  • Once supplies return, avoid rushing to fill up. Give stations time to restock.
  • Refill the reserves you used: car, stored fuel, heating fuel, food and medicines.
  • Keep the habits that helped: a fuller tank, a working bicycle, a car-share arrangement.

If you are…

Looking after children

  • Agree with other parents how to share school runs, and teach older children how to get to school by bus, bike or on foot.

Older, ill, or living with a disability

  • If you need regular transport to treatment, ask your hospital or care service now how they handle a fuel shortage.
  • If you depend on your car, keep the tank or battery fuller than usual.

With pets

  • Keep enough pet food in your stock that you do not need to drive out for it.

Living in the countryside

  • Buses and shops may be far away. Keep a larger stock of food and heating fuel, and agree with neighbours to share trips.

Easy-read summary

  • Listen to the radio for news about fuel.
  • Buy only the fuel you need.
  • Keep your car tank at least half full.
  • Heat one room to make heating oil last.
  • Share car trips with your neighbours.