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.
-
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.
-
Nonperishable food and a manual can opener
-
Antibacterial Hand Wipes for when soap and water are not available.
-
One change of clothing and footwear per person; toys and books for children
-
One blanket or sleeping bag per person
-
A first aid kit, including necessary prescription medications and eyeglasses
-
Pictures of family members and pets, in the event of separation
-
Pet care items
-
Extra set of car keys
-
Vehicle fuel tanks filled
-
Credit card or cash
-
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.
-
Develop a family plan so that everyone knows what to do in weather emergencies
-
Know where you will go
-
Secure your home whenever you have time to prepare
-
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:
-
It is rechargeable, you will NEVER have to buy Batteries, especially those HUGE D batteries that aren’t cheap.
-
You can plug it in and it will charge on ANY outlet, without ANY special equipment;
-
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!!
-
If you have the light charging and the power goes out, it will automatically turn on.. how awesome is that?
-
the Flashlight will run for 2.45 hrs on a full charge.. amazing for such a little thing.
-
The LEDs NEVER need to be replaced…!!! HUGE money savings right there
-
Uses less energy
-
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….
-
The light has 3 modes, I love that.. you can put it on HIGH, LOW or even Nightlight…
-
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
Marci Clark says
We NEED flashlights, matches, blankets, and lots and lots of water. Living in a city that is averaging 100 degrees right now, we need to make sure we have more water than normal since we don’t want to get dehydrated in an emergency!
Mizz Review Lady says
This would be a very useful product for my entire family!
mrs.cakes01@yahoo.com
Jammie says
I have the weather radio in my kit, when we get stuck in the cellar it helps to have something to let us know we can come out.
Jammie recently posted..I Quit! I just became rich within the matter of minutes
CrazyMom says
Thats a good idea.. a lot of people don’t think about that….
ashley n says
id have to say a weather radio, flashlight, and lots of water and food is pretty important to have
anw1107@aol.com
Francine Anchondo says
Make sure to have blankets downstairs to cover yourself in case of flying glass or debris, band aids, plenty of water.
Francine Anchondo recently posted..Spoiler Alert for Bones, Vampire Diaries, and Desperate Housewives
Heather G says
Must have a first aid kit!!
nicole says
I recommend having a first aid kit for emergencies.
Theresa H says
need not only flashlights but candles (fragrance free) and matches
Shannon Baas says
Food that doesn’t have to be heated and a first aid kit.
crystle tellerday says
food and drinks
angie says
I have water, batteries portable radio, radio, granola bars, first aid kids, pillows, and blankets,
tammie b says
definitely need this! storms aren’t stopping this year
Denise B. says
We always make sure we have plenty of bottled water, food, and candles in case of an emergency.
Stephanie V. says
solar or battery powered cell phone charger in case phone lines are down
Linda Lansford says
I need this for hurricanes
Pauline M says
Since we live in earthquake territory, we have a 3 day supply of food and water in my car and home, we all have an emergency clothing kit under our beds and an emergency cash fund hidden in the house… yes, I’m a bit of a safety fiend!
Charlotte Varner says
I’m really ashamed to admit this but all I really have prepared incase of any emergency if a storm was to hit is a first aid kit and lots of candles. We had a small tornado that hit here back in April of this year and the electric was out for a day. We had to use candles during this process and I mean ALOT like 15-20 candles. It also made it really hot in the house and just made it so uncomfortable for everyone. We have two smaller flash lights but I guess they need new batteries because they didn’t last long. This light sounds amazing!!!! I think everyone should have a few of these incase of an emergency.
Melissa P. says
I think I would need everything that FEMA suggests. All of those items are so important. I think a few other items that might be good would be a small pop up tent or something that would give shelter. A pocket knife, flint, waterproof matches.
Boy Scout Kit
Water. Have at least one gallon per person per day.
Food. Pack non-perishable, high-protein items, including energy bars, ready-to-eat soup, peanut butter, etc. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water.
Flashlight. Include extra batteries.
First aid kit. Include a reference guide.
Medications. Don’t forget both prescription and non-prescription items.
Battery-operated Weather radio. Include extra batteries.
Tools. Gather a wrench to turn off gas if necessary, a manual can opener, screwdriver, hammer, pliers, knife, duct tape, plastic sheeting, and garbage bags and ties.
Clothing. Provide a change of clothes for everyone, including sturdy shoes and gloves.
Personal Items. Remember eyeglasses or contact lenses and solution; copies of important papers, including identification cards, insurance policies, birth certificates, passports, etc.; and comfort items such as toys and books.
Sanitary supplies. You’ll want toilet paper, towelettes, feminine supplies, personal hygiene items, bleach, etc.
Money. Have cash. (ATMs and credit cards won’t work if the power is out.)
Contact information. Includey a current list of family phone numbers and e-mail addresses, including someone out of the area who may be easier to reach by e-mail if local phone lines are overloaded.
Pet supplies. Include food, water, leash, litter box or plastic bags, tags, medications, and vaccination information.
Map. Consider marking an evacuation route on it from your local area.
CrazyMom says
Wow Melissa… that’s a great list.. thanks for sharing 🙂
Teresa says
We definitely need water and candles, flashlights.
tssk10(at)gmail(dot)com
Linda says
I have to have a flashlight,water and radio.
Tara Torres says
water!
Beth Hill says
I always keep bottled water on hand. We lose our well without power, so no water.
Alison Tolar says
I recommend having a small first aid kit.
Karen Gonyea says
AWESOME Prize 🙂
Janna Johnson says
a gallon of drinking water
Thanks so much!! Janna Johnson jannajanna@hotmail.com janna@feedyoupig on gfc
Timmy says
I have to have a flashlight, water, radio…and the phone number to “Dial-A-Prayer”!
Timmy says
I have a flashlight, water, radio…and the phone number to “Dial-A-Prayer”!
amanda l h says
We have plenty of water in ours!
Julie says
Non Parishables, flash lights, candles, batteries:)
jmatek AT wi DOT rr DOT com
Tania S. says
Other than the items that are suggested already, I like to make sure that we have fun stuff for the kids in there. Things like a deck of cards, colored pencils and notepads.
Sammi says
I’d say water’s number 1 – people panic in emergencies and get thirsty and uncomfortable
Cristy R. says
You def. need flashlights like this awesome one! Also water and a weather radio so you know what is going on in a disaster situation!
Michelle Dippel says
Something needed would be water, batteries, blankets, canned food, crankable radio, etc
littleangel_mw at yahoo dot com
Monkeygirl Savings says
I would love a rechargeable flash light. My hubby and I can never find a flashlight when we need it. And if we do, it does not have batteries.
Alan T. (Omega Doom) says
flashlights, batteries, weather radio, blankets, first aid kit
karen M says
first aid kit, extra batteries, bottles of water, we have a can of formula and powdered milk that we added last time we updated our kit.
Susan C says
I recommend you keep extra medication in your disaster kit-it may save a life!
smchester at gmail dot com
Susan C says
I recommend you keep extra medication in your disaster kit-it may save a life!
smchester at gmail dot com
I don’t know if this comment went through or not. When I try to submit it says duplicate comment. Please delete if it shows up twice.
Micah Pearson says
I think a common thing left out of kits is extra batteries for the various things you would need to use it for if you didn’t have power anymore such as a portable radio.
hj says
Water, canned food, and can OPENER. We forgot this last one before. Duh!
hmcnaron at gmail dot com
Linda Meyers-Gabbard says
The main thing is a FLASHLIGHT
Water, duct tape, matches, candles, a blanket, bandages, energy bars.
adelle g says
water, food, flashlight, radio
amramazon280 AT yahoo DOT com
fancygrlnancy says
My must have is a flashight and candles.
michelle robbins says
I need a flashlight, cell phone, my baby and his diaper bag and a bottle. asdfff@bellsouth.net
amy says
Emergency Kit needs bottled water,a warm blanket, gloves, hand wipes, flashlight, and snacks. Thnaks for the giveaway!
amy says
Emergency Kit needs bottled water,a warm blanket, gloves, hand wipes, flashlight, and snacks. Thanks for the giveaway!
Darcie K says
I need to have water, flashlight, food, first-aid kit and a radio
Ellen B says
Living in a rural area when our power goes out it could be out for a while.
Kaycee says
I always have to remember to include enough water for each pet as well!
Judith says
WE have a back pack packed LOL Sweats, first aid kit, photo copies of docs, water purifier, vacuum packed staples, windup radio and flash light, ponchos, leather gloves, rope, tent, waterproof matches, whistle and light sticks.