subject: Winter Storm Kit 101: Led Lanterns, Flashlights, And Other Essentials To Include [print this page] During wintertime emergencies, preparedness is key. The following tips can help you keep your winter emergency kit in good working order to keep your family safe while Old Man Winter fumes outside.
Prepare alternative sources of heat.
Professional emergency planners ask themselves, "What's the worst that could happen?" If your furnace poops out during an extreme storm, you'll need an alternative way to heat your home. While preparing your fireplace or wood stove, gather enough fuel to provide five days of heat. Also, check that fire extinguishers are in good working order and that everyone in the home knows how to use them.
Assemble snow and ice removal tools.
After a major snowstorm, you may be unable to leave your home for supplies. Therefore, you should be sure you have sand or kitty litter, snow shovels and rock salt on hand so you can dig your way out after the storm of the century.
Review basic emergency preparedness kit.
At the very least, a proper winter preparedness kit should contain extra blankets, food, water and warm clothing for every member of your home. Survival experts typically suggest keeping three to five days of supplies ready for winter emergencies. Non-perishable food is best, since your refrigerator won't work if the power is down. You'll also need to think about how you will cook emergency food. Finally, if you already have a winter emergency kit, check that food hasn't expired, that water is still clean and fresh, and that blankets and clothing are pest free.
Gather LED lanterns or flashlights.
Ensure that your winter preparedness kit contains at least one LED flashlight or lantern. Multiple emergency situations call for a dependable torch. For instance, an LED flashlight can help you cook food and carry out home maintenance tasks, such as disabling water flow to prevent frozen, burst pipes. Moreover, having functional lanterns and flashlights on hand during an emergency brings major psychological benefits, as light gives people a sense of safety.
While reviewing your emergency kit, think about upgrading to LED lanterns and flashlights. LED bulbs are preferable for many reasons; they're more efficient, they run longer on the same set of batteries, they're long lasting, and they provide strong, steady light. All of these qualities are preferable in emergencies, when you may be unable to reach the store to buy more bulbs and batteries.
Test battery-powered devices.
Check the batteries in every LED lantern, flashlight and other battery-powered device in your emergency kit. Add extra batteries to your kit in case some are duds.
Remember the pets!
While preparing for winter storms, don't forget the furry members of your family. Stockpile extra water, treats, food and comfortable places to curl up while winter's fury rages outside. Again, be certain that pet food hasn't expired. Finally, if you don't already have a collar light for your dog or cat, this might be a good time to buy one - these devices can make it much easier to keep an eye on your pet.
Following these tips will ensure that you and your loved ones will emerge from the next extreme winter storm unharmed.
