Your Emergency Kit Should Have Flashights & Emergency Radio
Emergency flashights and radios are one of the "10 Basic Emergency Needs" that must be considered when preparing for any emergency or disaster. Make sure you include it in your emergency kit. In the event of a power outage, a battery-powered or hand-crank (dynamo) emergency flashlight will be necessary to see at night and an emergency radio for listening to local emergency broadcast updates and communicating with others.
To select the right flashlight or radio for your emergency kit, consider the different types of emergencies that are common to your geographical area and the emergency scenarios you may need to endure. For instance if you live in an area that suffers from rolling brownouts or blackouts you understand the need to have an emergency flashlight on hand to perform simple tasks from dusk to dawn. If you live in an area prone to hurricanes, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, or flooding, having an emergency radio with NOAA auto-alert broadcasts will allow you to receive early weather warnings to better be prepared.
The ability to communicate with others, before, during, or after an emergency or disaster can make the difference in a survial situation. The need to relay critical or survival information to others in the surrounding areas, or account for their status to survival personnel when they arrive on scene might be a reason a life is saved. The Midland Emergency Base Camp Radio (70970) offers 22 channels of two-way communication with a hand crank (dynamo) for continued power. It is a life saver for any emergency kit.
To remove the limitation of relying on battery operated flashlights or the danger of using an open flame a (4 or 20 count) of 12-hour light sticks which are non–toxic, non–flammable, and weatherproof, offer a consistent bright green illumination for up to 12 hours. Another option that is not limited to batteries are hand-crank devices which are a useful addition to any emergency kit. The Midland NOAA Emergency Weather Alert Radio (70960) which has 3 power options: battery power, hand-crank (dynamo), or a wall adapter and is rugged hand crank AM/FM/NOAA weather radio with optional auto-alert broadcasts.
Many emergency situations require one to have both hands free in order to adequately respond, whether it be during a Search & Rescue operation after a disaster or something as inconvenient as a changing a flat-tire on your automobile during the eveing hours. A good option is to have a Hands-Free LED Headlamp (70720) available in your 72 hour emergency kit or in your car emergency kit. This headlamp has an adjustable headstrap or versitile clip mount which allows you to adjust for 9 light positions.
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