Building an emergency kit can be daunting. That’s why so many people are unprepared for disasters when they strike their area. Show your loved ones how much you care by gifting them with emergency preparedness items for the holidays. Here are 10 ideas that won’t break the bank.
- Emergency light source: Whether it’s a lantern, flashlight, or headlamp, the gift of light can be critical during a power outage or other emergency. Having these on hand prevent your loved ones from resorting to candlelight, which can be dangerous.
- First aid kit: A concise, portable first aid kit can be a lifesaver when you need to dress a wound quickly. This gift shows your loved ones that their health and safety are important to you.
- Walkie-talkies: Everyone reaches for their cell phones during a disaster, but jammed phone lines can prevent communication. Walkie-talkies use radio waves, so people in relatively close proximity can remain in contact even if phone calls don’t go through. Plus, they’re fun for kids to play with when there isn’t an emergency!
- Multi-tool: This is a handy addition to any toolbox and makes a great holiday gift. You can find basic pocket knife varieties as well as options with numerous gadgets that could prove useful during an emergency.
- Survival guide: If you have a friend or family member who wants to get into hiking, a wilderness survival guide could be a thoughtful gift. Fiction books about surviving in the wild can also be entertaining and enlightening.
- Camping and hiking gear: You can also give your camping-enthusiast friends equipment they can take on hikes—or use during an evacuation—such as a tent, camping stove, mess kit, or compass.
- Water filter: Water filters make it safe to drink muddy pond or river water, meaning this is another practical tool you can use anytime you’re out in the wilderness. It also serves as an important addition to any survival kit.
- Binoculars: While they serve a serious purpose during an emergency, binoculars are also fun to take to arenas and baseball fields. They make an excellent bird watching, stargazing, and cloud observation tool as well.
- Propane burner: If the power goes out during a winter storm, how will you cook food? If you gift your loved ones with a propane burner, they’ll have the answer to this question. A propane-powered cooking source can be used in the kitchen or on the road, depending on whether an emergency calls for sheltering in place or evacuating. Just make sure it’s certified for indoor-use.
- Cooler: It may have many useful purposes besides emergency preparedness, but loading food into a cooler can help prevent spoilage during a power outage. It also makes food easy to transport during an evacuation.
Your loved ones will be grateful for the peace of mind your emergency preparedness gift provides! If a disaster ever strikes your home, please turn to DKI Services for flood restoration, fire damage services, or mold remediation.