Collapsible Water carriers make great preparedness gifts
# 8101
As my regular readers are aware, each year I write about preparedness gifts to give to friends and loved ones (see The Gift Of Preparedness: 2013 for the latest incarnation). With that in mind, I thought I’d give a list of those small-price-tag preparedness items that would make excellent stocking stuffers; almost all for under $10.
Preparedness supplies and camping supplies are often synonymous, so the sporting goods or camping section of your local stores are often the best hunting grounds.
LED flashlights and lanterns are cheaper than ever, and you can usually find a 3 pack of flashlights for under $10, or a pair of lanterns for that price. Both are invaluable during a power outage, and will tuck nicely into the stocking.
Batteries, particularly AA and AAA, always come in handy..
While you can certainly spend $90 or more for a high quality Leatherman or Gerber multi-tool there are many less expensive, yet serviceable, versions available on store shelves. Along with multi-function pocket knives, these make terrific preparedness gifts to be tucked away in first aid kits, bug out bags, or glove compartment.
A magnesium fire starter can be had for as little as $4, and belongs in every bug-out bag.
Frankly, with cold & flu season underway, and a couple of viruses in the wings with pandemic potential, giving a box of face masks, or gloves isn’t such a bad idea as well. I recently bought a dozen `Flu Kits’ on sale (7 N-95 masks, Spray hand sanitizer, and a dozen sanitizing wipes) and have given them out to friends.
Inexpensive USB Drives start under $10, and can hold copies of important papers and images of credit cards and identification cards.
A combination compass, emergency whistle, and magnifying glass can be had for less than $5, and makes a great addition to any bug-out bag.
Another `camping’ related product that would be useful in an emergency is 550 para-cord, which is light, strong, and can be used for a variety of tasks.
While I’m a big fan of the Lifestraw personal water filter, at $20, it doesn’t come in under my self-imposed $10 limit. Still, if the budget can stand it, it is light, durable, and filters down to 2 microns.
A less expensive option are water purification tablets (iodine or chlorine), which can be had for about $5.
Hopefully, some of these items will inspire you to give the gift to preparedness to the people in your lives. Often something that they would not immediately think to buy for themselves.
They may not be flashy or glamorous, but they can be worth their weight in gold during an emergency.
Note: Photos are for illustration purposes only, and are not a brand endorsement
