Gadgets: Emergency Survival Supplies
Gadgets that can help you survive many emergencies, like power outages, blizzards, or flu epidemics (or pandemics), are good to have around. Keep them at home, in the office and in your car. You just never know when they'll come in handy.
Different. Practical. Fun. Yep, gadgets can make great gifts. We have found some gadgets that will fit the bill of being different, practical and fun. We came across them with emergencies in mind, but realized they would be great for the beach, slopes, camping, hiking, biking, and travels too. Talk about being prepared!
- Flashlights
- Wind 'N Go flashlight 3-LED flashlights: One minute of cranking generates a half hour of uninterrupted light -- $20.00
- Dynamo 4 in 1 flashlight: 20 second of cranking delivers up to 20 minutes of power for LED light, built in FM radio and emergency siren, or up to 4 minutes of power for you cell phone. Includes phone adapters -- $25.00
- Totes: Crank powered flashlights sold at Macy’s and J.C. Penny's.
- Sun Jar, solar cell: Frosted glass jar place in direct sunlight for 1 day and it’s solar cells will charge a battery that powers LED light for 5 hours of candle-like glow -- $30.00
- Cell phone chargers and radios
- Totes - Crank powered cell phone chargers and radios sold at Macy’s and J.C. Pennys.
- 4-in-1 Emergency Tool
- A crank powered FM radio: power generator, LED light with flash and siren, and cell phone charger, from the Bay Area Chapter of Red Cross -- $29.00
- A crank powered AM/FM radio: with lantern and strobe light that allows for power from four sources -- $29.00
A bit more esoteric, but fantastic when the demand is there is water purification chemicals and gadgets. There are lots of outdoor stores that carry this sort of product, and here are some we have found and like.
- Chemicals
- Aquamira tablets: kills order causing bacteria and enhances taste if stored potable water -- $12.00; treats up to 30 gallons of water.
- Portable Aqua: emergency drinking water germicidal tablets effective against Giardia -- $9.00; treats up to 25 quarts of water.
- Water filters and purifiers
- SteriPEN Traveler: wipes out most viruses, bacteria and protozoa in less than 1 minute using ultraviolet light -- $130.00
- Boxed drinking water
- The Bay Area Chapter of Red Cross is also selling a three-day supply of water with a five-year shelf life -- $2.25
Now if you want to get really geared up, consider having emergency food rations on hand -- at home and the office.
- Caravan Trading Co. Ready-to Go Emergency Food Pack: Feeds 1 adult for 3 days -- shelf life of 3 years
- Read-To-Go emergency food pack: with a three-year shelf life sold at Costco, Sam's Club or through the Bay Area Chapter of Red Cross -- $24.95
There are lots of interesting gadget ideas out there you should have on hand in case of an emergency. Why not give them to your friends and family so they can be prepared too!
