Preparedness for severe weather is a nationwide initiative, as weather watchdogs like Weather Services International are predicting 15 named storms in 2011, including eight hurricanes, two or three of which may hit landfall in the United States. Hurricanes often spur additional weather emergencies including tornadoes and flooding. While severe storms, tornadoes, floods and hurricanes are inevitable in spring, summer and even into fall, planning and preparation can make severe weather challenges manageable and even help save lives.
One of the most common occurrences in storms–regardless of severity–is the loss of electricity. Losing electricity does not have to mean loss of all power. Whether it is a brief inconvenience or a prolonged outage, use flashlights or lanterns and make sure they are easily accessible for all family members. Energizer® Weatheready® lights feature long-lasting LED technology. This extensive flashlight line is designed to provide extended runtimes so your family has light where and when it is needed most.
Another important safety measure is to avoid the temptation to light candles when the power fails. According to the National Fire Protection Association, more than 15,000 fires are caused annually by candle use, and the risk of a fatal candle fire is greatest when the candles are used as a light source. A flashlight for every family member ensures safe lighting during power outages.
The Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) recommends the following items for an emergency preparedness kit. Keep these items together in a safe location for access in case of storm damage.
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Water: According to FEMA, each person should have a supply of one gallon of water per day for three days, as a normally active person needs at least one-half gallon of water daily just for drinking, in addition to cooking and sanitation.
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Nonperishable food and a manual can opener
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Antibacterial Hand Wipes for when soap and water are not available.
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One change of clothing and footwear per person; toys and books for children
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One blanket or sleeping bag per person
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A first aid kit, including necessary prescription medications and eyeglasses
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Pictures of family members and pets, in the event of separation
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Pet care items
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Extra set of car keys
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Vehicle fuel tanks filled
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Credit card or cash
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Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members
“An emergency power kit along with other essentials can help ensure the comfort and safety of families throughout the country in severe weather situations,” said Jim Olsen, vice president of marketing for Energizer North America. “We are reminding families to be prepared for power outages by putting together their own backup power kits to ensure they are always prepared for blackouts due to severe weather situations.”
With the severe weather season of 2011 already breaking records—681 recorded tornadoes in April alone, according to The Weather Channel—taking the following steps before weather disasters strike will help ensure you and your family are prepared.
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Develop a family plan so that everyone knows what to do in weather emergencies
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Know where you will go
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Secure your home whenever you have time to prepare
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Have a pet plan to ensure the well-being of your animals
In addition to a backup power kit and emergency supplies keep copies of important medical records, insurance documents and personal family papers easily accessible.
How did we like the Energizer Weatheready Compact Rechargeable LED Light?
As most of you know, we are in Florida and Hurricane Season is just starting up; we are always looking for items that would be great for our disaster kit. I was super excited when the Energizer Rechargeable LED Light Weatheready showed up. If it’s one thing, I hate buying batteries for the Flash Lights. This light is AWESOME. Before I’ll tell you why I loved it so much, I will tell you this.. RUN, don’t walk…RUN to the store and grab one, maybe even two, you know what make it THREE. This to me is the BEST money spend on a Flashlight.
Okay, I have so many reasons why I love this, I’ll just list them all below:
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It is rechargeable, you will NEVER have to buy Batteries, especially those HUGE D batteries that aren’t cheap.
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You can plug it in and it will charge on ANY outlet, without ANY special equipment;
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The plug is stored inside the light, you can flip it inside the light when the light is not being charged and flip it out to charge.. LOVE that!!
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If you have the light charging and the power goes out, it will automatically turn on.. how awesome is that?
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the Flashlight will run for 2.45 hrs on a full charge.. amazing for such a little thing.
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The LEDs NEVER need to be replaced…!!! HUGE money savings right there
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Uses less energy
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Unbreakable, this is HUGE, my toddler already tossed it across the room against the wall, the Flash light is in perfect condition, the wall has a dent..lol.. WELL….
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The light has 3 modes, I love that.. you can put it on HIGH, LOW or even Nightlight…
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Should I go on? There are soooo many cool features about this light; I guarantee you will love it.
I personally will buy a few more for my Disaster Kit and for family members; wonderful product that will probly never need replacing and is always ready when you need it most; Of course you don’t HAVE to have a storm in order to use it My Plumber who installed the water heater the other day really liked how handy it was, light weight and easy to use. He almost took it with him when I wasn’t looking… BUT I watched the Flashlight like a HOAG. I did tell him he can purchase his own through Amazon.com or Home depot and any other retailer that will sell Energizer products; This Flashlight retails for $15.99 and to me is worth every penny
Energizer is great to work with and they love my readers here at 2Boys+1Girl=OneCrazyMom and offered one Energizer Weatheready Compact Rechargeable LED Light as a Giveaway. Be sure to enter below.
Naomie says
We are in Florida too and I would love one of those for our Hurricane kit! Thanks for the giveaway.
nbellowsdove at gmail dot com
Daniel M says
first aid kit, energy bars, water
clynsg says
I need to stock up more on foods that can be eaten without cooking and/or to get a camp type stove.
momznite says
Bottled water, blankets, and a first aid kit are a few of my items.
momznite_at_yahoo_daught_com
AlexisGrau says
I think its important to have a flashlight, batteries, a mini radio, first aid kit, a few bottles of water, and some small snacks (Nutrigrain bars or something similar).
charline says
I recommend to have a camp stove and lots of water.
stanleybilly(at)bellsouth(dot)net
Jill Myrick says
I recommend having blankets, water , non perishable food, batteries and an all weather radio.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
april bever says
Emergency rations are a must
Michele P. says
bottled water and a 3-5 day supply of food or MRE’s
Melinda (Mendy) Dinsmore says
radio, batteries, water and tarps
nancy says
I recommend lots of bottled water
nblexp ( at ) gmail (dot) com
Tammy Darling says
Our medicine!
Tammy Darling recently posted..School’s Out!?!
Debra Hall says
i dont keep a kit i guess we should with tornados in the summer
Emillie says
Bottled water, energy bars, flashlights, and a radio.
hisprincess886 at yahoo dot com
Erica C. says
I definitely need to get water for our emergency kit.
Andi says
The lights go out a lot where I am, so this would be great!
Andi recently posted..Beautiful Things
Samantha says
Flashlights, radio and WATER!
Auriette says
I recommend either making copies of all your important documents or scanning them and creating a CD with all the documents on it. This includes: ID, birth certificate, proof of residence (such as a power bill), mortgage, property insurance policy, life and health insurance policies, and a listing of all your creditors with account numbers and contact information. If you have to leave your home in a hurry, you can grab your emergency kit and know that you have everything you need to file claims, apply for aid, receive medical treatment, and put in for change-of-address forms for all your bills. It’s one less thing to worry about.
Auriette recently posted..Choosing a Radio for Your Disaster Kit
R Hicks says
You should have a water purifier in our emergency kit!
ardy22 at earthlink dot net
katklaw777 says
A first-aid kit and some of those silver Mylar emergency blankets are a must.
April V. says
We do all the basics but little things like book lights help pass the time when there is no power. Also, we have a kerosene camping stove, we make sure that we always have a fresh cannister so we can cook if we need to without power.
Dorothy7 says
A few bottles of water
Dorothy7 says
I am a two boys GFC Follower
susan smoaks says
i need to have a spare pair of contacts and glasses in our emergency kit for each of us that wears them!
Stacy says
Definitely a radio and batteries.
nrdunningATgmailDOtcom
Breanne says
Bottles of water
Kris says
flashlights, candles, jugs of water, first aid kit, shelf-stable foods, radio, clothes, blankets, a couple games, stenos, matches, lighter, water purifier (either filter or tablets), pet supplies and safety gear, P38s, multi-tool, knife… and so on
brian e. says
Thanks for the giveaway…in addition to the items already mentioned for life & limb, you should be able to access & take with you any important documents: passports, birth certificates, deeds, financial records, etc. on short notice.
senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com
Marcy Strahan says
My Emergency Kit must have Hand Gel, bandaide & medicine forsure.
DanV says
I recommend batteries, radio, flashlight, water and easy to prepare food
James Coyne says
i would love to win this
Gianna says
A first aid kit.
heather c says
We need to get some sleeping bags!