By James Card
When the power is out candles are cozy in the house but useless in windy conditions. Coleman lanterns (which can run on a variety of fuels) throw out enough light to illuminate a work area or a makeshift kitchen. Save the flashlight and their declining batteries for more specific tasks.
In natural disasters, trees are always part of the problem: they crush houses, block roads, and create all sorts of mayhem. When dealing with a large-canopied tree you need to clear some limbs away before the real chainsaw work begins and loppers will do the job faster and safer than an axe or hand saw.
You can use it to haul anything, store anything, or wash anything including giving yourself a sponge bath. Top it off with a swivel seat and it doubles as a handy stool. The uses are nearly limitless. Choose ones that have never held toxic materials.
Besides water, the bottles are useful for storing anything that needs to be airtight, waterproof and have hard-case protection. Another bonus is that they are transparent so you can quickly note what’s inside. Keep first aid and repair kits inside and nuts and bolts and nails in another. It’s useful for storing food items since critters cannot chew through the hard plastic.
One garbage bag, many uses: impromptu rain poncho, ground tarp, or primitive shelter. Use them as waterproof covers for backpacks, sleeping bags and anything else. Filled with soft materials, they can be used as a sleeping mattress. In a disaster situation with debris and rubbish everywhere, garbage bags will always be in demand.
A standby tool of farmers everywhere. It’s a hammer, staple puller, wire cutter, and pliers all in one. They are an incredible bargain as most cost around $8 to $16.
Waders become an improvised biohazard suit when working in flooded areas. In times of extreme flooding, fecal coliform concentrations can go through the roof. Sewage systems overflow and people are basically waist deep in a bacterial cocktail of wastewater and dung.
In an emergency or disaster situation, you will be crawling, kneeling, and working on things close to the ground. Surplus military kneepads such as those in the photo can be picked up for as little as $5 a pair.