Beyond generators and flashlights, the coolest tools to help you thrive in extreme circumstances
So you think you know how to survive the zombie apocalypse, eh? You have read the guidelines from the government about 'emergency preparedness', and you have watched a bunch of prepper videos on Youtube, so you think you are good to go when it comes to extreme emergencies.
Well good for you!
But what if you need things to get you through less extreme circumstances so you don't have to drag out the 250lb generator, or the dehydrated food you have stored for an extinction level event? Well here are 5 cool tools to help you do just that!
1) Emergency LED Lightbulbs
These are just plain awesome. They are charged by using them in a regular lamp or fixture, and they store power in an integrated rechargeable battery. When the power goes out, it continues to function, using the battery power instead of the power from the outlet. I mean flashlights are great, but having a few lamps in the house that still function when the power is out? No brainer. And if you look at the picture, these particular bulbs come with portable receivers, where you can remove them from their fixtures and use them anywhere, and even hang them from a hook. And once the power comes back on, just put them back in your lamp or fixture to recharge the for the next use! Very cool.
These bulbs are made by many different manufacturers, so you will have to check for cost, charge time and run time. But this specific example can be found on amazon.ca, cost about $25, charge with regular use and last for up to 4-5 hours in an outage.
2) USB power source (see opening blog picture)
If you are like me, you have picked your tool platform, and 99% of your tools and compatible batteries are with that system. But whether you are a Dewalt person, or Milwaukee or Makita, almost every single one of them has a converter like the top picture, which converts one of your tool batteries into a USB charger. In the Dewalt version pictured, it costs between $20-$50 CDN and can charge your devices as many as 4 times depending on what battery you choose. And there are lots of knock off versions available which also integrate a light, so it can have lots of different uses. It's a great way to have access to USB charging using batteries you already own for your tools. And when the battery dies, you can just switch it out with a fresh battery and keep charging!
3) The Portable Power station
OK. This one might cost you a few bucks (like around $2000 CDN) but if you are in an area prone to power outages, live in an apartment where you can't run a gas powered generator, or do camping or hunting on top of regular use, this may be the tool for you.
The Jackery Explorer 1500 is a portable power station designed to provide reliable and clean power on the go. It's a high-capacity generator, featuring a large lithium-ion battery capacity of 1488 watt-hours (Wh). This power station is known for its versatility and ability to charge a wide range of devices, making it suitable for outdoor adventures, emergencies, and even as a backup power source for home essentials.
This beast can run your coffee maker, your CPAP, and even your fridge depending on which size you get. So if you want to be able to run your larger appliances, those with high draw, or need something for your medical devices, this can take care of that and much more. Large price tag aside, portable power stations are just damn cool and useful!
4) Portable appliances
I dunno. This is just cool:) Yeah it only makes coffee, and you need to be on the Makita platform, but if you already are... why not?? At $159 CDN it's not the most practical purchase on the planet, but you can't beat a nice hot cup of coffee when the power goes out. They also have a $900 battery powered microwave, but that's maybe where I draw the line. Maybe...
5) Hand Crank Radio
Last on the list, but certainly not least, is a hand crank radio. This one is pretty awesome because it can be charged normally with a micro USB, but if it discharges totally during your emergency, you can use 'people power' and hand crank it back to life. This is just a great way to make sure that you have an option to recharge your unit, even if the power hasn't come back on. It also has a port to charge your phone by USB and integrated light, so you will have multi uses as long as you have the strength to crank the handle. And at about $25 on Amazon having this little unit in your emergency kit is a no brainer!
At the end of the day, you need to prepare your family for being in an emergency or a lengthy weather event which affects your power. Beyond having food and water, you will need things to keep you informed, comfortable, and safe, so having a few gadgets like these can make the difference between surviving or thriving.
Stephanie is the founder of The Project Garage and an expert in emergency preparedness. If you need information on everything from preparing an emergency kit, to how to run a generator, reach out! You can book her here.
© The Project Garage 2023
Comments