If You're Preparing For Emergency Situations, Here Are 12 Items You Should Have

You can never be sure exactly what you'll need when disaster strikes, so why not have it all ready to go in one handy kit just in case? This 250-piece kit caught HuffPost readers' attention en masse when we covered it previously (and as a bonus, it seems to go on sale for under $40 semi-regularly).

The kit contains necessities for nearly every situation imaginable: a first aid kit, compass, shovel, emergency tent, fire starter and so much more. All of the items fit inside a compact backpack you can stash at home or in the car.

This handy tool comes expert-recommended by mechanics for safety in the car, and was so popular among HuffPost readers that we gave it a HuffPicks Award.

The dual-headed gadget offers multiple uses: The top has a flathead hammer on one side and pointed spike on the other, to help break window glass if you're ever trapped in the car without a way to open the door. The handle also has a sharp blade, so you can cut your seatbelt off of you if you need to get out immediately. The sharp spike has a protective cap for when not in use, too. You can get the tool in three bright colors that glow in the dark, so it's always easy to find.

The LifeStraw personal water filter originally came to HuffPost's attention with a recommendation from survivalist Ky Furneaux. "It’s light and doesn’t take up much room so it isn’t a huge inconvenience for something that may save your life," she said. "Just knowing that water purification is taken care of takes a load off your mind and allows you to fully focus on other needs."

The Lifestraw removes over 99% of waterborne bacteria, parasites and microplastics down to 1 micron with its compact filtration system, so you can safely drink directly out of streams and lakes. It's not just for camping, though — this is a great product to have on hand at home for natural disasters or in case you don't have clean running water during an emergency.

While the hand crank lantern mentioned earlier is great for charging small devices, you'll probably want something with a little more juice for longer-term power outages. That's where the Jackery Explorer 1000 comes in: This HuffPicks Award winner has three AC outlets, two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, one DC car port and LED lights to meet all your power and charging needs in an emergency.

With a lifespan of over 10 years, smart app control to easily switch between charging modes and a compact design that's easy to store in your trunk or basement, this can make a huge difference during a power outage or other emergency to keep your devices — and your car battery — charged.

Promising review: "I bought this with the intention of CPAP backup. Less than a week after receiving this product, an overnight thunder storm knocked out 2 transformers in town and we lost power for about 3-4 hours before crews could make repairs. I slept right through the entire deal and wondered why the microwave clock was flashing in the morning.

This product works exactly as designed and is an absolute blessing! If you've ever been woken up by your CPAP losing power you know how rude of a wake up that is.... avoiding that just one time makes the price worth it to me! Do yourself a favor and get a power station." — BigD

In every emergency go bag should be a lighter — you never know when you'll need fire. This electric lighter is USB-C rechargeable and is water- and windproof so it can work even when you're in harsh weather conditions. It also comes on a lanyard for safekeeping, with an emergency whistle if needed. There's even a built-in flashlight for extra visibility.

Promising review: "Great product! Nice sturdy design, easy to hold and use even with wet or cold hands. Latch keeps it closed for storage. Bright orangey color will help you find it fast in your pack or in case it is dropped or it’s dark out. Comes with a cable for charging and a separate lanyard to wear around your neck or attach to camping gear. Worked right out of the box before charging but probably better to charge it before traveling. Great for camping and also for emergencies. I feel safer having this. Making a campfire will be much easier now! I am very glad I bought this." — Anna

To prepare for being stuck outdoors in freezing cold temperatures, grab some mylar emergency blankets, like this highly-rated four-pack. The fabric is reflective and heat-trapping, able to hold up to 95% of body heat and reducing your chance of getting hypothermia. The blankets are wind- and waterproof, durable, lightweight and compact, folding down to fit in the palm of your hand or in a pocket so you can always have one on you. You can also put the blankets in your windows to maintain heat indoors, as some reviewers have done.

Promising review: "Was a good product overall for the price, interestingly enough. Had a power outage and temps were in the 30s. Me and my family huddled under this, and we were super toasty." — Freya Wolfe

You may rely on checking your phone for updates on a natural disaster, but that's not always the best option. Available in three colors, this radio has a hand crank, solar panel and rechargeable battery, so it can always stay running with access to seven NOAA AM and FM channels. And like Furneaux mentioned, this one doubles as a power to charge other devices like your phone with USB. There's also a built-in LED flashlight.

If you're not planning on buying a whole kit, it's helpful to have at least one multitool that can come in handy in multiple types of emergencies. This 13-in-1 gadget is multipurpose with two types of pliers, wire cutters, multiple screwdrivers and files, a bottle opener, a saw and other knives. It weighs 12 ounces and folds down to be only 4.3 by 1.75 inches. Each tool can be opened separately with ease. This could also make a great gift for your favorite outdoorsy person.

Promising review: Amazing tool from Mossy Oak. I bought several as gifts for family members. They all love it. It has multiple practical tools that fits nicely in the case on your belt. It is sharp enough to get the job done. Locks well. It was a little stiff to open in the beginning but with use it is a lot easier to open and close. Now I’ll order one for me too” — Kae

In addition to blankets to keep you warm, an emergency sleeping bag can come in handy when you might not know where your next sleep will happen. This option by Sierra Madre is water- and windproof, and the thermal material reflects 90% of body heat to keep you nice and toasty in the cold. The bag is durable and reusable, and packs down into a travel sack that's small enough to throw in your go bag or car glovebox. The sleeping bag comes in a high-visibility orange.

Promising review: "We have them in all our vehicles. My son went camping with one and he put it inside his regular sleeping bag. It kept him very toasty although it was less than 32° outside the tent. Perfect for emergencies. Light weight and takes very little space to keep handy" — Denise Harris

You know the deal by now; keeping your devices charged is major for emergencies, so you can stay in contact with loved ones and get important information and updates on the situation. This Anker portable generator has a retractable light, USB-C and USB-A ports and can charge your laptop and phone simultaneously. The 60,000mAh capacity can keep the lamp lit for 42.3 hours, potentially coming in clutch during a long blackout. The portable generator has a convenient handle for carrying, and has solar panel compatibility.

A safety whistle is never a bad thing to keep on you, in case you get lost or need to call attention to a situation. This two-pack comes with attached lanyards and keychains for safekeeping, and provide up to 120 decibels of noise. They're also lightweight, at just 12 grams, and made of durable aluminum alloy. Grab the two-pack in four colors, or opt for a four-pack.

Promising review: "I bought two packs of these whistles: one for me and three as gifts for my sister and two nieces. It's very lightweight, so can easily be worn on the provided lanyard while walking or hiking. The lanyard is soft, so it doesn't scratch the neck. It can also be clipped onto a keychain. I have the whistle attached to my keychain and the lanyard in my car console if I want to wear it. It provides a level of safety when walking and in parking lots." — Donna O.

We've previously covered this portable hand-crank camping lantern and power generator that has a built-in rechargeable battery (via USB-C), as well as a hand crank to generate electricity on its own when you're stuck in a power outage or without access to outlets. And not only can it provide needed light in four different modes plus a dimming function, but you can also use it to charge your devices in a pinch, with its USB-C and USB-A output.

Promising review: "It works just as advertised. I used the crank for 2-3 minutes. It charged up my Apple Watch from 0 to 100% in 30 minutes. It still had most of the charge left. The lights work great and do not drain the power quickly. Very happy." — Amazon Customer