Top ten emergency preparedness gifts that can literally safe lives.
Put down that ugly sweater and give your friends and family a gift of safety. Wisconsin Emergency Management put together a list of thoughtful gift ideas that can be helpful during critical times, including an emergency weather radio, cell phone adapter, smoke and carbon monoxide detector, fire extinguisher, foldable ladder, and battery powered lamps.
WEM’s Tod Pritchard says it’s not too late. “Every item on that list is a great last-minute gift. It’s a great I-gotta-run-in-the-store-and-grab-something kind of gift. So, no, this is perfect timing.”
Instead of giving frivolous gifts, soon to be discarded, give them something that could potentially save their lives. Pritchard says these gifts are relatively inexpensive and easy to obtain at a home improvement store.
Pritchard does take his own advise. He’s especially fond of the weather radio. “The weather radio for me is one of my number one gifts. I have given that to my mom and dad and my sister. I think it’s a great tool. Something that I would not expect them to go out and get.” Though he says, “I’ve never given a fire extinguisher, so that would be new for me.”
In addition to the physical gifts, Pritchard suggests families gathering for the holiday should take a few minutes to get a plan — discuss what they would do in the case of an emergency or disaster.
AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report 1:29