gifts – 1800PrepareBlog

Disaster preparedness kits make great gifts during the holidays, and everyone from FEMA spokespersons to fire marshals are recommending them. In addition to those kits, you might also gift larger and smaller preparedness items that every home needs, such as:

Foldable Ladder
Fire Extinguishers
Smoke Alarms
Carbon Monoxide Alarms

‘For tech geeks, you might get one of those emergency crank-up radios. And I’m a big fan of those little flashlights as stocking fillers. You can never have enough flashlights when there’s a power cut,’ FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate said.

‘You’re giving them a gift that can save a life and keep them safe in an emergency,’ he said.

‘What we’re saying is that the holidays are the only time families really get together. So it’s the ideal time to talk about a family communication plan in the event of a disaster,’ Mr. Fugate said.

It may seem awkward to talk about disasters and crisis this season, when family and friends would rather think about other things. However, giving preparedness gifts can help you begin a much needed discussion that could prove extremely valuable down the road. Just don’t make it the main focus of all of your discussions, or that will turn people off.

Source:
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/World/Story/STIStory_464352.html

Not sure what gifts to get family, friends, co-workers, your boss or teachers? Some state governments are recommending that you give the gift of emergency preparedness. For example, the state of Illinois has this suggestion:

The office of the State Fire Marshal and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency released a list Monday of safety-kit ideas. Gifts could include weather-alert radios with extra batteries; home or dorm-room items such first-aid kits, bottled water, nonperishable food, blankets, flashlights and batteries; or automobile accessories such as jumper cables, flashlights, blankets, sand and small shovel.

These are great suggestions for gifts and it’s even better when you can buy pre-made home, school, office and car kits that are ready to go, which we have for sale here at 1800Prepare.com.

Why give kits as gifts as opposed to electronics, books or something else? The truth is that many people aren’t thinking about emergency preparedness, even though they should. They need to be nudged a bit, and you may the only one who can get them to take the first step, to move in the right direction with a kit or two. Your gift could be the most precious one they’ve ever received in the face of a crisis.

Source:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-safetygiftideas,0,6571045.story