Whether its' the threat of hurricane or any other natural disaster, everyone should take precautions and be prepared. Here are some simple solutions and product ideas to keep on hand should an emergency occur.
Black and Decker All-in-One Station
You can stay informed and be prepared when the next emergency hits with the portable Storm Station All-in-One Emergency Power Station from Black & Decker. When the power goes out due to power failure or a storm, the Storm Station automatically turns on. The Storm Station features a radio, 25 watt power inverter, 12 volt recharge port, removable flashlight and a "Find Me Light" which runs off the Storm Station’s 12V rechargeable battery. The radio tunes to local and national government weather reports to keep you up to date on the latest civil and natural emergencies. The radio also tunes into AM/FM stations, as well as the audio portion of your local TV news. The 25 watt power inverter powers your home’s cordless phone, laptop or small appliances. The 12 volt recharging port even charges cell phones! $99.99; www.blackanddecker.com
WeatherBug Mobile
WeatherBug Mobile is the only content that features live, neighborhood level weather conditions, satellite and radar views and live camera views from the WeatherBug Network™ plus forecast updates and severe weather alerts from the National Weather Service (NOAA).
Mobile weather data is often the only means users have when severe weather disrupts power and Internet access. Even when mobile users were unable to make voice calls due to service disruption during last year’s prolific hurricane season, they were able to get current conditions and forecasts via text on their mobile devices.
What makes WeatherBug so unique is its network and live, streaming neighborhood level data and the diverse industries that rely upon its depth and granularity. Alternative weather sources offer computer modeled forecasts and data based upon hourly reports from area airports.
Users can personalize their WeatherBug Mobile weather reports by designating the specific station closest to them. The new partnership delivers:
- Live, streaming weather conditions, including temperature, wind direction from 8,000 WeatherBug Tracking Stations across the U.S.
- Five day and extended forecasts
- Live camera images from more than 1,000 WeatherBug Cameras across the U.S.
- Severe weather alerts
- Radar and satellite images
- Community photos from WeatherBug users
WeatherBug Mobile Alerts is available for $2.99 per month. WeatherBug Mobile
Weather is available for most major wireless service providers for between $2.99
and $4.99 per month. WeatherBug Mobile Weather for BlackBerry is available for
$39.99 for one year and $11.99 for three months. WeatherBug Mobile Weather for
Smartphone is available for a one-time fee of $14.95. For more information on
WeatherBug and to check availability of your cell phone provider visit www.weatherbug.com/mobile
Bugs, Bugs, Bugs
OFF! Active repellents protect against mosquitoes that may be carrying post storm diseases like West Nile Virus, plus biting flies, gnats, ticks, no-see-ums and a variety of other insects. They also have a sunscreen formula (SPF 30), which kills two birds (ah, bugs) at the same time.
www.offprotects.com
Emergency Survival Kit
The 4 Person Deluxe Home Survival Kit supports 4 people for 3 days. It includes all the emergency food, water, shelter, sanitation, first aid, lighting, and communication supplies necessary for surviving after a major disaster. Remember, after a catastrophic event, stores will be closed! Running water and electricity will be unavailable! Your building may be unsafe. You need to be self-sufficient. Be prepared and not scared with a survival kit. It's all stored in a sealed 5-gallon container you can put anywhere in the house. $109. www.quakekare.com; 1 800 2 - PREPARE
Batteries
You can never have enough batteries --the question has always been: How long do batteries last unused? According to Duracell, storage at high temperatures and high humidity will accelerate degradation of chemical cells. At low temperature storage, the chemical activity is retarded and capacity is not greatly affected. Recommended storage conditions are 50°F (10°C) to 77°F (25°C) with no more than 65 percent relative humidity. High humidity introduces a slight leakage current which can degrade shelf life. www.duracell.com
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