You never know when natural disasters can strike—from snow storms to hurricanes, threats to our homes can come when you least expect them. The best emergency preparedness plan is to stock up before the stores are flooded with people trying to gather their last-minute items in the wake of a rapidly approaching weather event.
Here are some technology items that you can add to your emergency kit before a disaster is imminent:
Portable Power Stations
Power outages during a natural disaster are, at best, an inconvenience but, at worst, can be life-threatening. Particularly if you have any electrically powered devices in your home that you rely on for health or safety, you’ll want to ensure that you have portable power stations around. In addition, these can help keep cell phones charged if you need to contact someone for help as long as you have cell service available.
Backup Batteries
While rechargeable devices can have a lot of benefits, they can quickly spell trouble during a power outage. While trying to conserve your power, the last thing you want to do is drain your resources unnecessarily. Keep plenty of backup batteries on hand so you can utilize them for as many devices as possible. Also, conserve your power for things that require it.
Light Sources
Make sure that you have light sources available in the event of a power outage. You could go with a flashlight or even a headlamp to ensure you can see hands-free in an emergency.
Make sure you go for a version that isn’t rechargeable, so you don’t end up running out of light with no way to recharge it. Also, double-check the batteries in the flashlight to make sure you have enough stock in your supply of backup batteries in case you need to swap out the old batteries for new ones.
Windup Radio
There are windup radios available that can function even during a power outage, which is extremely important to keep you aware of crucial weather information. Having a windup radio will assist you in accessing both local and NOAA alerts so you are aware of the essential information you need to keep you and your household safe.
Water Filtration Straws
If the water you have access to becomes non-potable, water filtration straws can be crucial for survival. You can include a few of these in your emergency preparedness kit for your household to ensure you can stay hydrated in an emergency.
Be Prepared Before Disaster Strikes
If you’ve ever seen a crowded store in the days before a projected natural disaster, you know how chaotic the experience can be. Plan ahead before it becomes necessary by keeping an emergency kit on hand with the necessities you’ll need to get through a weather event safely.
These are just some technology items that can help you through these challenging scenarios. Many other basic supplies are recommended to have on hand. Review expert advice when building your emergency kit to ensure your household is entirely prepared for unexpected emergencies that may strike.