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If you’re thinking about emergency preparedness right now, you’re not alone.Online searches for items like emergency kits and emergency flashlights are on the rise.
SKIP AHEAD BUILD YOUR OWN EMERGENCY KIT: First Aid Kit, Fire Extinguisher, Battery Powered Radio, Flashlight, Batteries, Sleeping Bag, Whistle, Dust Mask, Towel, Wrench, Can Opener, Charger and Batteries
Emergency preparedness is the ability to survive on your own food, water and other supplies for a few days, according to Ready, the FEMA emergency preparedness resource.Therefore, an emergency kit should be a collection of household items you may need in an emergency.Most importantly, you’ll need to keep nearby what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says you’ll absolutely need in an emergency, including prescription medications, baby care, pet supplies, and more.
In addition to groceries and personal items, Ready also broadly recommends a few specific items for your emergency kit.The list is below, along with links to relevant guides in this article, if relevant.
Guided by FEMA recommendations, we found five highly rated emergency kits that included many suggested items.We cross-referenced the components of each kit against these recommendations and found that none included a fire extinguisher, plastic sheeting, a wrench, a local map, or a phone with a charger.We detail what’s missing from each kit and make suggestions on where to find those missing items.
In addition to grabbing what each kit lacks, you’ll want to consider purchasing your own dust mask, duct tape, and wet towels.
The brand says Everlit’s Complete 72 Hours Earthquake Bug Out Bag was designed by U.S. military veterans and should be useful in any emergency, not just the earthquake it’s named after.The Everlit bag comes with 200 first aid kits, a hand crank radio/charger/torch, 36 water bags and three food bars, plus a blanket.It also comes with a whistle and utility knife, which the brand says can be used as a saw, can opener and glass breaker.All of this is included in what Everlit calls a “multipurpose tactical military-grade backpack,” which is made of 600-denier polyester — making it tear-resistant and waterproof — and padded shoulder straps.Everlit Complete 72 Hours Earthquake Bug Out Bag has a 4.8-star rating out of over 1,700 reviews on Amazon.
In addition to grabbing what each kit is missing, you’ll want to consider buying your own radio, tape, wet towels, or a manual can opener.
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, the Ready America 72-Hour Emergency Kit offers a bunch of helpful emergency items that the company says should last for three days — including a 33-piece first aid kit, six hydration bags, A food bar, blanket, glow stick, whistle and dust mask.All in one backpack.The Ready America Emergency Backpack has a 4.7-star rating out of over 4,800 reviews on Amazon.
Judy’s The Protector set for a family of six costs nearly $400.So it comes with a 101 piece first aid kit, a hand crank radio/charger/flashlight, 24 water bags, 15 food bars, a rescue blanket and hand warmer to last a few days in an emergency, the brand Say. It also comes with a whistle, six dust masks, a roll of mini tape, and wet wipes.(Judy also sells Mover Max kits, which contain similar emergency items—but fewer water bags and food bars for a smaller family of four.) Conservators pack all of this in a rollable in the suitcase.While it doesn’t offer many customer reviews, the Judy brand has been well-received by professional reviewers: Strategists praise its simplicity and accessibility.Judy’s website also has a resources section where you can find in-depth guides on power outages and wildfires.
Preppi The Prepster backpack was listed as one of Oprah’s favorite items in 2019, and it lives up to its name.Aside from the plethora of emergency kit supplies – from 85 first aid kits, solar and hand crank radio/chargers/torches, three days of water and coconut shortbread bars to mylar space blankets – Preppi looks like a teen romance comedy.It also comes with a whistle, face mask, tape, sanitizing towels and a multi-tool with can opener.Although the Preppi The Prepster backpack doesn’t have any customer feedback, it has been highlighted by professional outlets.According to Forbes, Preppi contains “all the necessities needed to provide two people with nourishment, hydration, power, shelter and communication in luxurious comfort.”
In addition to grabbing what each kit lacks, you’ll want to consider buying your own radio, dust mask, tape, wet towels, and a manual can opener.
If you’re particularly concerned about losing light, the Sustain Supply Co Comfort2 Premium Emergency Survival Kit is a great option – the pack comes with your usual light sources (light sticks and LED lanterns) in addition to the ignition and tinder. It has a first aid kit, 2 liters of water, 12 meals, two first aid blankets and two whistles.It also comes with a portable stove and two bowls and cutlery.The Sustain Supply Co Comfort2 Premium Emergency Survival Kit has a 4.6-star rating out of over 1,300 reviews on Amazon.
If you find that an emergency kit is lacking, and you’d rather prepare your own to meet your specific needs, we’ve found highly rated products that fall into different CDC categories and outline them below.Put together your own emergency kit with the items that are most important to you.
According to First Aid Only, the First Aid Only Universal Basic Soft Face First Aid Kit is a soft bag that holds approximately 300 various first aid supplies.These include bandages, ice packs and aspirin.First Aid Only All-Purpose Essentials Soft-Sided First Aid Kit has a 4.8-star rating from over 53,000 reviews on Amazon.
The Be Smart Get Prepared 100-Piece First Aid Kit is a plastic box that holds 100 first aid supplies – from sanitizing towels to wooden finger splints – says Be Smart Get Prepared.While it has one-third the amount of medical supplies as a first aid kit, it costs half as much.The Be Smart Get Prepared 100-Piece First Aid Kit has a 4.7-star rating out of over 31,000 reviews on Amazon.
First Alert says the First Alert HOME1 Rechargeable Standard Home Fire Extinguisher is constructed of durable all-metal construction and commercial-grade metal valves.The First Alert HOME1 is rechargeable, which means you can take it to a certified professional to recharge it.It also comes with a 10-year limited warranty.The First Alert HOME1 Rechargeable Standard Home Fire Extinguisher has a 4.8-star rating on Amazon from over 27,000 reviews.
Kidde says the Kidde FA110 Multipurpose Fire Extinguisher is made entirely of metal (with metal valves), just like the First Alert fire extinguisher.It has a 6-year limited warranty compared to First Alert’s 10-year limited warranty.The Kidde FA110 Multipurpose Fire Extinguisher has a 4.7-star rating out of over 14,000 reviews on Amazon.
The FosPower 2000mAh NOAA Emergency Weather Radio Portable Power Bank not only works as a traditional battery powered handheld radio, it’s also a 2000mAh portable power bank that’s perfect for charging your smartphone and other devices during power outages.According to FosPower, you can power your AM/FM radio a few different ways: with three AAA batteries, with a hand rocker, or via a solar panel.The radio also has reading lights and flashlights.FosPower 2000mAh NOAA Emergency Weather Radio Portable Power Bank has a 4.6-star rating on Amazon from over 23,000 reviews.
Similar to the FosPower, the PowerBear portable radio is small enough to fit in your hand.It uses two AA batteries.The PowerBear also offers a 3.5mm headphone jack for privacy when you’re listening to AM/FM radio – the FosPower doesn’t have one.The PowerBear Portable Radio has a 4.3-star rating out of over 15,000 reviews on Amazon.
Powered by three AAA batteries, the GearLight LED tactical flashlight features a wide-to-narrow beam that the company says will illuminate the road 1,000 feet ahead.It’s the best-selling flashlight on Amazon and comes in a pack of two.It is also waterproof.The GearLight LED Tactical Flashlight has a 4.7-star rating on Amazon from over 61,000 reviews.
Sometimes in an emergency, you need to have your hands free.Powered by three AAA batteries, this LED headlamp from Husky is designed to be worn on your head – allowing your arms and hands to do other tasks while having the light in front of you.It features five beam settings and dual-switch dimming for every situation.Plus, it has an IPX4 water resistance rating to protect against small splashes.It has a 4.7 star rating out of nearly 300 reviews on Home Depot.
Amazon says the AmazonBasics 8 AA High-Performance Alkaline Batteries provide reliable performance on a wide variety of devices – they’re ideal for flashlights, clocks, and more.Amazon says they have a 10-year leak-free shelf life.They are not rechargeable.AmazonBasics 4 AA High-Performance Alkaline Batteries have a 4.7-star rating on Amazon from over 423,000 reviews.
Similar to AmazonBasics AA batteries, the AmazonBasics 10-pack of AAA high-performance alkaline batteries should work with the same wide range of devices and have the same 10-year shelf life, according to Amazon.AmazonBasics 10-Pack AAA High-Performance Alkaline Batteries have a 4.7-star rating with over 404,000 reviews on Amazon.
According to Oaskys, its camping sleeping bags are rated at 50 degrees Fahrenheit — in case it gets a little cold outside.The sleeping bag closes with a zipper, and the semi-circular hood has an adjustable drawstring to secure your head and keep you warm.It’s about 87 inches (or 7.25 feet) long, so it should fit most people.It also comes with a compression pocket with shoulder straps for easy storage and portability.Oaskys Camping Sleeping Bag has a 4.5-star rating out of over 15,000 reviews on Amazon.
We’ve previously written about sleeping bags for kids on Select and recommended the REI Co-op Kindercone 25.Co-op Kindercone 25 is rated colder weather than Oaskys, with temperatures around 25 degrees Fahrenheit.It closes with a zipper, like the Oaskys Camping sleeping bag, and offers a roomy hood and adjustable cords for adjustment.Still, it’s only about 60 inches long—great for kids, but not so much for adults.
These Hipat Sport Whistles – plastic and stainless steel, depending on your preference – come in a two-pack with a lanyard that lets the whistle hang around your neck when not in use.Both options have thousands of positive reviews on Amazon: the plastic whistle has a 4.6-star rating out of 5,500 reviews, while the stainless-steel two-pack has a 4.5-star rating out of nearly 4,200 reviews.
These Hipat Sport Whistles – plastic and stainless steel, depending on your preference – come in a 2-pack with a lanyard that allows the whistle to hang around your neck when not in use.Both options have thousands of positive reviews on Amazon: the plastic whistle has a 4.6-star rating out of 5,500 reviews, while the stainless-steel 2-pack has a 4.5-star rating out of nearly 4,200 reviews.
FEMA recommends keeping a dust mask in your emergency kit to help filter contaminated air.Michigan State University distinguishes dust masks from NIOSH-approved face coverings, explaining that dust masks are worn comfortably against non-toxic dust and do not provide protection against harmful dust or gases, while face shields can.
An example of a dust mask is this highly rated Honeywell Nuisance Disposable Dust Mask, a box of 50 masks.It has a 4.4-star rating on Amazon with nearly 3,000 reviews.Here are the best KN95 masks and the best N95 masks if you’re looking for masks and respirators to help prevent Covid, according to medical experts.
In the event of a radiation emergency, FEMA recommends setting aside plastic sheeting and tape to help you seal all windows, doors, and vents.You need to “cut the plastic film a few inches wider than the opening and label each sheet” and tape the plastic down at the corners first, then tape the rest of the edges.
To keep it clean, you’ll also want to stock up on damp towelettes.There are many different types to choose from – many of which you can find at your local pharmacy.If you’re looking for the top rated options online, here are some options.
Wet Ones Antibacterial Wipes are sold in packs of 10 of 20 wipes each.They come in a tiny flexible package—about 8 inches long and 7 inches wide—and they’re easier to carry around in a kit than a rigid tube-like container.Wet Ones Antibacterial Wipes have a 4.8 star rating out of nearly 25,000 reviews.
Babyganics Alcohol Free Hand Sanitizer Wipes are sold in four packs of 20 wipes each.Like the wipes highlighted above, Babyganics wipes are supposed to kill about 99 percent of germs, according to the brand.Babyganics also says their wipes are free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, or synthetic fragrances and dyes—and they’re not allergenic.Like the Wet Ones Antibacterial Wipes, they come in a soft pack (6″L x 5″W) and should easily fit next to your other supplies.Babyganics has a 4.8 star rating from nearly 16,000 reviews.
If you need to shut down your utility in an emergency, FEMA’s readiness guidance site, Ready, instructs everyone to keep a wrench-like tool in their back pocket (though not literally).
The Lexivon ½-Inch Drive Click Torque Wrench should be up to the task.It’s made of steel with a reinforced ratchet gear head that’s rust- and corrosion-resistant, and has easy-to-recognize instructions on the body.It also has a hard case for storage.Lexivon has a 4.6-star rating out of nearly 15,000 reviews on Amazon.
According to EPAuto, like the Lexivon, the EPAuto ½-inch Drive Click Torque Wrench is made of steel with a durable ratchet head—though it’s not reinforced—and the wrench is corrosion-resistant.It also packs in a sturdy storage case.The EPAuto ½-Inch Drive Click Torque Wrench has a 4.6-star rating on Amazon from over 28,000 reviews.
Some of the food you store may be canned, and the KitchenAid Classic Multi-Purpose Can Opener is a great way to open those cans with ease.The KitchenAid Multi-Purpose Can Opener is made of 100% stainless steel and is designed to open all types of cans.It also has an ergonomic handle that should make it comfortable and easy to hold, according to the brand.The KitchenAid Multi-Purpose Can Opener is available in 14 different colors, so you can choose your favorite—it has a 4.6-star rating out of over 54,000 reviews on Amazon.
Like the KitchenAid, the Gorilla Grip Manual Handheld Power Can Opener has a fully stainless steel cutting wheel and can be used on a wide variety of cans or bottles.The Gorilla Grip can opener also features a comfortable silicone handle, as well as an ergonomic knob.It comes in eight different colors.The Gorilla Grip Manual Handheld Power Can Opener has a 3.9-star rating out of over 13,000 reviews on Amazon.
While you can buy a map of your state outside of Amazon without spending too much, you can also go to the U.S. Department of the Interior website and use their map viewer to print out your approximate location.Keep it in a folder for a rainy day, just in case you end up needing to navigate the streets of your town or city without the help of GPS.
While we’ve featured a variety of portable chargers and battery packs in our coverage — including solar chargers and power banks — the Anker PowerCore 10000 PD Redux is a very large charger with a 10,000mAh capacity — which Making it possible to charge most phones twice or almost the entire time, according to Anker, the iPad’s battery is only once.For its capacity alone, it can be especially useful in an emergency.Anker says its USB-C port enables 18W fast charging, provided your device also supports it.Just make sure you have a USB-C to USB-C cable on hand to take advantage of this feature (or buy one to make sure you do).The Anker PowerCore 10000 PD Redux has a 4.6-star rating out of over 4,400 Amazon reviews.
If you can pre-purchase a portable charger (almost triple that of the Anker PowerCore 10000 PD Redux), the Goal Zero Sherpa 100 PD QI seems like it’s worth it for you.According to Target Zero, it’s made of aluminum, supports 60W charging for your laptop, and can charge your phone wirelessly, so you don’t have to worry about buying any cables for it.It also has a 25,600mAh capacity, more than double the capacity of the Anker PowerCore 10000 PD Redux.It has a 4.5 star rating on Amazon with about 250 reviews.
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Post time: Jun-17-2022