Everyone needs a home emergency kit. Here's what to stock yours with
Whether it's due to damage from severe thunderstorms in peak summer, or a crippling ice storm in the winter, every household should be prepared to spend a prolonged period of time without power or even access to help.
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Canada's weather is as diverse as its seasons, and can often take a turn toward the severe.
Tornadoes, thunderstorms, wind storms, downbursts, blizzards, hurricanes, even non-weather-related disasters like earthquakes – all are likely to make an appearance throughout the year, depending on where you live. They can leave your home without power, and may even trap you within it for an extended stretch.
As such, it's best to have an emergency kit in your home – even, and especially, if you don't think you'll need one. Here’s what we recommend you stock in yours.
Military Uniforms First Aid Kit
Amazon
This Military Uniforms First Aid Kit stood out to us not only because of its relatively inexpensive price tag – the design is also durable and eminently portable. Its contents are adequate for activities like camping, when medical care may not be close at hand – a situation you may find yourself in if an ice storm or winter storm knocks out your power and strands you indoors for a couple of days.
Other features:
Composed of 156 hospital-grade items, more than others in its price range
Lightweight, weighing only 1.3 pounds in total
Rated 4.6 out of 5, based on more than 500 reviews on Amazon.ca
Eveready LED Floating Lantern Flashlight
Amazon.ca
An absolute must for your kit is a good flashlight, with long-lasting battery life, since you don’t know how long you’ll be waiting for help to arrive. There are smaller, sleeker versions than this one from Eveready, but we chose it specifically for its bright colour and larger build – easier to spot, and easier to grab in an emergency.
Other features:
Can run on two or four D-size batteries (two included)
Up to 140-hour runtime on 4 heavy-duty batteries, or up to 400 hours on 4 alkaline batteries, according to the manufacturer
Rated 4.2 out of 5, based on more than 2,400 reviews on Amazon.ca
Like what you see? Check out our Shop the Weather articles for more must-have product recommendations.
Solar Camping Lantern
Amazon.ca
For something more diffuse than a high-powered hand-held flashlight, we’d recommend this lantern, not least of which because of its versatility when it comes to charging options: USB, solar panel (full charge in two hours) and hand crank (3-5 minutes of cranking), making sure you’ll always have the light you need in a prolonged power outage.
Other features:
Weighs less than a pound
Can be adjusted to operate as a flashlight as well
Rated 4.4 out of 5 based on more than 1,300 reviews on Amazon.ca
INIU Triple 3A High-Speed 10000mAh Phone Power Bank
Amazon.ca
It’s hard to do without your smartphone in this day and age. In a severe weather outbreak it's the first place severe weather warnings are delivered (via AlertReady), and lets you check on the situation as it evolves. But most of them have poor battery lives compared to the pre-smartphone age, so you'll definitely want a portable power bank for yours. We liked this power bank from INIU best. It's lightweight, eminently portable, and priced well enough for you to include more than one in your emergency kit.
Other features:
10,000 milliamp-hour charge capacity
Three USB-C ports, so you can charge three devices at once
Rated 4.6 out of 5, based on more than 1,800 reviews on Amazon.ca
FosPower Emergency Weather Radio with Solar Charging
Amazon.ca
A good weather radio is a must-have for your emergency kit, and this one is the most recommended. Its solar charging capability provides power to a built-in reading light and flashlight as well as outlets for USB charging. The device is also equipped with an SOS alarm and emergency weather radio that broadcasts from AM, FM, and NOAA stations (Note that Weatheradio Canada uses the same frequencies as those used by NOAA).
Other features:
Hand crank and solar charging, also allows use of AAA batteries for power
Limited lifetime warranty
Rated 4.4 out of 5, based on almost 26,000 reviews on Amazon.ca
Survive Outdoors Longer S.O.L. 90% Reflective Emergency Blanket
Amazon.ca
Power outages are bad news, especially when they happen in the middle of a Canadian winter. Even if you have a portable generator, you'll still want to include an emergency blanket in your home kit for each family member. The SOL Survival Blanket is rated for the backcountry, and reflects 90 per cent of your body's radiated heat when used properly.
Other features:
Made from durable metalized polyethylene material
56 by 84 inches, and weighs only 70 grams
Rated 4.5 out of 5 on Amazon.ca, based on more than 1,200 reviews
Champion Portable Gas Generator
Canadian Tire
A generator will easily be the priciest item on your home emergency kit shopping list, but it needn't break the bank. Canadian Tire’s Champion Portable Gas Generator is our preferred choice; relatively compact, and on the lower end of the scale price-wise. Note: NEVER run a generator indoors or in an enclosed space.
Other features:
5.5-litre fuel tank offers an 11-hour runtime at a 50 per cent load
1200W output, with 1500W surge power
Rated 4.6 out of 5 at Canadian Tire, based on more than 750 user reviews
Starfrit Mightican Manual Can Opener
Amazon.ca
Sometimes the best tech is the simplest. An uncomplicated manual can opener is all you need if you have to rely on canned food for a while, and this Starfrit Mightican Manual Can Opener does the job well. Pair it in your kit with at least three days' worth of non-perishable food.
Other features:
Stainless steel blades
Good for both right and left-handed users
Rated 4.7 out of 5, based on more than 3,800 reviews on Amazon.ca
For other thoughts on what to include in your home emergency kit, Emergency Management B.C. has a thorough guide.
For other thoughts on what to include in your home emergency kit, Emergency Management B.C. has a thorough guide.
Like what you see? Check out our Shop the Weather articles for more must-have product recommendations.
Our trusted Product Specialists recommend high-quality items that we think will enhance your experience with Canadian weather conditions. Prices and availability of items are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
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