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If you're still struggling for a last-minute gift for someone you care about this Christmas, here are a couple ideas -- one for under the tree and one for a stocking stuffer -- that could save their life one day.
In the earthquake-prone Pacific Northwest, it's a good idea to have a three-day emergency kit behind the driver's seat in your car. You can buy ready-made kits that can be mailed to you.
Many one-person, three-day kits include
- Water (good for up to five years)
- Emergency rations
- Flashlight and batteries
- Emergency whistle
- Glow sticks
- Thermal blanket
- Face mask
- Hand and foot warmers
- Napkins, moist towelettes, and toilet paper
- Playing cards (to keep your sanity)
These generally run about $50, although you can find some that cost less. You can find them from local retailers like American Preparedness, the Red Cross, at many outdoors retailers and auto parts stores, or online from places like Amazon. Or you can build them yourself.
You can also find larger, more expensive kits for two people, or for more than three days.
If you want something that costs a little less that can fit in a Christmas stocking, how about an emergency car escape kit? If someone you care about gets into a crash and can't call for help or get the car doors open, this could save their life.
This kit can attach to their keyring and should include:
- A seatbelt cutter / window breaker (Click here for example)
- Emergency whistle
- A small flashlight
You can find these items at most department stores or online. Then just attach them to a keyring.
You can also find all-in-one car escape devices that include all these features. Just be sure to get one that will either attach to your keyring or can be secured to the inside of the car where the driver can get at it if there is a crash. If it goes flying around inside the car, it may end up out of reach and could become a dangerous projectile.
Regardless of whether you give one of these for Christmas, it's good insurance to get them for yourself and your family as well. You should also prepare a two-week kit for the long-haul in case vital services are out for an extended period of time following a major disaster.
