Being prepared for urgent and unexpected situations that pose risks to your life and property is a must. Here is a list of essential items you want to always have in your home during emergencies.
Radio
A hand-cranked radio that receives the standard AM/FM signals and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather channels will provide you with the necessary resources to keep you safe whether you're out of service range, out of power or dealing with any unforeseen event.
Light
Have spare flashlights, torches, oil lamps and candles in your bedroom, kitchen, garage and close to your electrical panels because a lack of emergency lighting when you need one is a horrible experience.
Oil lamps (even makeshift ones) and candles are good to have around when you need heat, but they can cause a fire, so flashlights and torches come in handy as well.
In choosing emergency flashlights and torches, consider battery life and rechargeability, the number and variety of operational modes, characteristics at maximum settings, resistance against water and dust, brand value, warranty and overall price.
Batteries
It is not enough to just stock up on common lithium-based batteries, like AAs, 9-volts or the CR123s. It is also important to get 18650 lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, which are very common in laptop battery packs, flashlights, cordless tools and various other devices (even cars) because of their safety tolerance, reliability, long run times and ability to be recharged hundreds of times over.
Always buy from a trusted source or name-brand manufacturer. Before purchasing online, check reviews from past customers or online tech forums to make sure you’re not buying improperly manufactured or poorly made products that can yield unpleasant results.
Phone chargers
An emergency and practical backup option is a hand crank phone charger, but it will take a lot of effort if you want constant power. Before buying, use due diligence because there are dozens of products to choose from – each fulfilling a different need. Choose based on robust functionality, multiple charging options, weather resistance and verified customer reviews.
Power banks
Power banks should essentially be used sparingly Using them to constantly keep your electronic devices at 100 percent charge will damage their batteries over time. Here are the things to keep in mind before you buy a power bank: number of charging ports, build quality, high-grade lithium-polymer battery, output voltage, battery capacity, LED indicators, ampere count and cable quality. It is best to stick with established brands.
Backup power
A must-have item when the grid goes down is a solar generator. Check out the EcoFlow portable power station devices – touted as the latest gear that can help people survive while off the grid. They can be used to charge electronics, power tools or run refrigerators or blenders during blackouts. The retailer is SAT123.com, which also offers satellite communications solutions.
Solar bags/showers
A portable solar shower can be a game-changer in emergency situations. These solar bags have a black surface, which is what absorbs heat from the sun’s energy. According to the Georgia Water Science Center, a five-gallon bag lasts for about two minutes if you let the water run continuously. On the other hand, a standing solar shower holds about 10 to 15 gallons and should last more than five minutes.
Bag-type solar showers may not be a smart choice in the winter. A high-efficiency solar shower that draws its water from a flat plate collector is a safer choice because it is likely to push temperatures over 100 degrees – which means it truly works during the winter. Read buying guides for capacity, water temperature, durability and warranty and customer reviews. (Related: Survival essentials: 5 solar-powered items you need for your homestead.)
Fire-starting materials
Always stock up on at least three different igniters – that way, if one or two methods fail, you always have a backup system in place.
Waterproof matches, storm proof matches and "strike-anywhere" matches are available online and at most camping and outdoor stores. They do not come with an expiration date and if you keep your matches in watertight containers, they can last for decades. The BIC lighters are also very good as they hold their fuel for many years, unlike generic brand lighters.
Flint rods, Ferro-rod strikers and fire-steel scrapers, meanwhile, are light and packable survival fire starters that will work regardless of moisture conditions. You need to practice using them because it can take a fair amount of technique to use them well. Magnesium rods and bars always stay dry even if you dunk them in a river or leave them out in the rain.
Check out Preparedness.news to learn more about prepping and survival essentials.
Watch this video for a review of portable power stations.
This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.
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SHTF essentials: 7 alternate power sources for emergencies.
Survival must-haves: 19 ways to cook without electricity.
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