Practical, "in case of emergency" gifts

[Deleted]

www.metrokitchen.com/product/ME-6010?utm_source=shopzilla&utm_medium=scs&utm_term=ME-6010&mr:referralID=cfaf7b62-4e08-11e3-beb7-001b2166c2c0

[ddi741]

Stick Vac
Folding Chairs (handy if you entertain a lot)
Emergency escape hammer for the car
Flashlights for the car
AAA membership
Consumer reports magazine subscription

[mbcdefg]

My mom's gotten me jumper cables, a headlamp, a sweatshirt from my old college, and a fire extinguisher after I said I wanted to buy them for myself.

Other ideas:

- winter hat, scarf, and gloves
- overnight bag
- water bottle or travel coffee mug
- cooking/baking supplies (mess kit)
- camping equipment/sleeping bags

Does she like buying lots of small items? Ask her to make you a blackout/evacuation kit ... candles and matches, flashlights and batteries, hand crank radio, lantern, etc.

Roadside emergency kit: www.amazon.com/dp/B000B912SO/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=N61R1SVZJN73&coliid=I2QWGUFMUVIQ37

Coffee percolator for blackouts: www.amazon.com/dp/B00005NCWQ/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=N61R1SVZJN73&coliid=I2HXH3T3EJ8IMU

Wool blanket: www.amazon.com/dp/B000K2OWDY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=N61R1SVZJN73&coliid=I2S4P275EJ8UZN

Hiking boots

Gloves: www.amazon.com/dp/B003TV410W/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=N61R1SVZJN73&coliid=IMK87UWSI9RE1

Water treatment tablets: www.amazon.com/dp/B001949TKS/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=N61R1SVZJN73&coliid=I3M0IUS5JKRJCD

This guy goes a bit overboard, but there are some good ideas here for gadgets and supplies: www.artofmanliness.com/2011/03/07/how-to-make-a-bug-out-bag-your-72-hour-emergency-evacuation-survival-kit/

[BAMFMrsB]

Nov 15, 2013 10:16:10 GMT -5 v said:

www.metrokitchen.com/product/ME-6010?utm_source=shopzilla&utm_medium=scs&utm_term=ME-6010&mr:referralID=cfaf7b62-4e08-11e3-beb7-001b2166c2c0

EVERY kitchen should have one of these.

I did actually buy a backup, regular cork screw+knife thingy. JIC of Zombiepocalypse. I wanted to make sure if my handheld opener broke, at least I'd have the standard kind to get a bottle open.

Tents
backpacks (the good kind)
flashlights (the kind that sit on a charging station)
weather alert radio, with a crank handle for generating power to use it
jumper cables
camping chairs (the kind that fold in to a bag)

[shortstax]

These are awesome ideas ladies! Keep 'em coming

[shortstax]

Nov 15, 2013 10:22:02 GMT -5 BAMFMrsB said:

Nov 15, 2013 10:16:10 GMT -5 v said:

www.metrokitchen.com/product/ME-6010?utm_source=shopzilla&utm_medium=scs&utm_term=ME-6010&mr:referralID=cfaf7b62-4e08-11e3-beb7-001b2166c2c0

EVERY kitchen should have one of these.

I did actually buy a backup, regular cork screw+knife thingy. JIC of Zombiepocalypse. I wanted to make sure if my handheld opener broke, at least I'd have the standard kind to get a bottle open.

Tents
backpacks (the good kind)
flashlights (the kind that sit on a charging station)
weather alert radio, with a crank handle for generating power to use it
jumper cables
camping chairs (the kind that fold in to a bag)

This totally reminded me that DH ripped his old backpack this year and needs a new one. I totally would have forgotten because we don't use it often. THANKS (hot)

[MixedBerryJam]

Hand-crank radio (this one has a phone charger)
www.amazon.com/American-Turbine-Weather-Smartphone-Charger/dp/B007KFLVTM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1384529637&sr=8-4&keywords=hand+crank+radio

I also love love love my flashlights that plug into outlets. I always know where they are, and they are never dead. Don't have a link, though. This what I have.
www.amazon.com/Energizer-Weather-Ready-Compact-Rechargeable/dp/B000V6USJQ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1384529861&sr=8-5&keywords=rechargeable+flashlights

[dr.girlfriend]

I have a hand-crank flashlight that also recharges a cell phone. That plus a crank radio would probably be useful.

[Deleted]

Garlic press (the Pampered Chef one is great)

[ladyk]

Do you live in a multi-story house or on a floor other than ground level? You need a fire safety ladder.

www.amazon.com/Kidde-468094-Three-Story-Anti-Slip-25-Foot/dp/B000H5S96A

(obviously they aren't made for highrises)

[awkwardpenguin]

Nov 15, 2013 10:34:46 GMT -5 MixedBerryJam said:

Hand-crank radio (this one has a phone charger)
www.amazon.com/American-Turbine-Weather-Smartphone-Charger/dp/B007KFLVTM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1384529637&sr=8-4&keywords=hand+crank+radio

I also love love love my flashlights that plug into outlets. I always know where they are, and they are never dead. Don't have a link, though. This what I have.
www.amazon.com/Energizer-Weather-Ready-Compact-Rechargeable/dp/B000V6USJQ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1384529861&sr=8-5&keywords=rechargeable+flashlights

These were going to be my suggestions. Also a hella cheap pay as you go cell phone, because you don't want to hand crank charge an expensive phone.

We also have the iPhone version of this. www.amazon.com/Duracell-Instant-Charger-Includes-Universal/dp/B002FU6KF2

[hilwithonelary]

I keep this in my purse. It will do a full charge + on my iPhone. It's come in handy a few times.

Anker® Astro Mini 3000mAh Ultra-Compact Portable Lipstick-Sized External Battery Backup Charger Power Bank Charger for iPhone 5S, 5C, 5, 4S, 4 (Apple adapters not included), iPod, Samsung Galaxy Note, Galexy S4, Galaxy S3, Galaxy S2, Galaxy Nexus, HTC One X, One S, Sensation G14, ThunderBolt, Nokia N9 Lumia 920 900, Blackberry Z10, Sony Xperia Z; Google Glass, GoPro and More - Silver
amzn.com/B005NF5NTK

[Deleted]

Document shredder (if you don't have one)
Easy up tent (10x10--good for backyard, camping)
Luggage

These aren't really emergency, but we always save these for Xmas so we don't actually buy any:
New bath or kitchen towels
Tablecloths

[dexteroni]

Nov 15, 2013 11:55:43 GMT -5 @historychick79 said:

Document shredder (if you don't have one)

This was going to be my suggestion too.

This isn't emergency at all, but it's convenient - a second vacuum to keep upstairs. We bought a new vacuum earlier this year and I moved our old one upstairs for quick cleanups and it's so handy.

[heyney]

-carbon monoxide detector/s
-fireproof safe
-external hard drive (to back up all your important documents/photos and keep in fireproof safe)

[Deleted]

I love my dirt devil hand vacuum, what about a steam mop? nice sheets, membership to Costco or BJ's.

[dexteroni]

btw shortstax thank you for posting this. My mom also likes to give practical gifts, and this is a good list of ideas.

We should put together a GBCN gift guide with links to posts like this one, the $5 gifts, gifts for kids of various ages, etc.

[insominac]

Really good first-aid kit
Earthquake kit or stocked bug out bag
Pet first-aid kit
Life doc binder (http://www.amazon.com/Life-doc-Your-Life-Buttoned-Up/dp/0976922207)
Finance books or books on creating living trust
Appointment with a financial planner

[shortstax]

Nov 15, 2013 18:16:19 GMT -5 dexteroni said:

btw shortstax thank you for posting this. My mom also likes to give practical gifts, and this is a good list of ideas.

No problem! I've gotten so many great gift ideas from MM over the years

[stephogirl]

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002AMAXNA/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1384566014&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

I've considered buying these for a while. Tool to break a car window/cut seat belts

[mbcdefg]

Nov 15, 2013 18:16:19 GMT -5 dexteroni said:

We should put together a GBCN gift guide with links to posts like this one, the $5 gifts, gifts for kids of various ages, etc.

Yes!

[niq]

Does it have to be a physical thing?

A subscription to Crashplan or SOS Online
If that's too expensive, subscription to Lastpass or a license for 1password