A Battery of Basics – Why Batteries are so Important in Disaster Preparedness

Articles on Emergencies | Topics: emergencies, emergency, disasters, disaster

by Serena Powers

Many times after a disaster is completely over, people are shocked to know their water, electricity, and phone services are out of commission. Typically, they survive the initial situation only to come to the realization the disaster continues in the community. Some people rush to the nearest store to stock up on water and food, but when an entire community has the same task in mind, supplies never last long.

Because disasters commonly take out necessary services, such as electricity, each household should have an emergency kit prepared. One of the most important things to keep in your emergency kit is a pack of batteries. You should update the kit frequently, so you know your batteries work well if you ever need to use them. Although batteries may seem trivial when disaster strikes, they can actually be very important tools to have and should be included in your disaster preparedness kit. Be sure to include different sizes so you can utilize them in several different things. If you are curious about how batteries can help you in a disaster scenario, read below.

Radios

During a disaster, when you are in your home's safest spot, you will likely want some sort of connection to the outside world. Many times, electricity is the first thing to go. Therefore, you can use your batteries to operate a radio. Radio signals are much more likely to endure disasters and you should be able to tune to a news channel for updates and information. A radio can be stress relieving and help reassure you when the disaster is over. After the storm, a radio can give you necessary information about many different things in your community, such as when water is safe to drink and other pertinent information. Without a radio, you will likely be confused and unsure about what to do following a disaster. You might not even know when it is safe to come out of your home.

Flashlights

When the electricity does go out, you will likely need some form of light. Therefore, your batteries will come in handy in a flashlight. Many people own flashlights, but rarely use them. This makes it likely that when they do go to use them, the batteries will be "dead". Having extra batteries in a disaster preparedness kit will ensure that you won't have to go without your flashlight. This will help you get around your home and find other things you may need until your electricity comes back on.

Water Purifiers

Quote of the Day

In this country, you never pull the emergency brake, even when there is an emergency. It is imperative that the trains run on schedule.

—Friedrich Dürrenmatt (1921–1990)

Often times, it is necessary to purify water after a disaster. When electricity is out, it is almost impossible to boil water. If you purchase a small battery operated water purifier, you can be sure you will always have water to drink. This is assuming your water is still functioning within your home. Having extra batteries is very important in this case, because you will probably be using this machine quite a bit. You will likely run a set or two of batteries out after the entire situation is said and done.

Heaters & Fans

You can now purchase small heaters and fans that run on batteries. You may very well need these appliances when disaster hits. So, if you do own these things, be sure to have a lot of batteries on hand. If a disaster hits in the warmer months, a fan will be a welcomed luxury. If disaster hits in the winter, you may need the heater to survive. These appliances do go through batteries quickly, especially when used frequently.

Medical Equipment

Nothing is more important than your health. If you are or a family member is on some sort of electric medical unit, you certainly need to keep many batteries on hand in case of disaster. Most medical units have backup capabilities that use batteries. Since you could be trapped for days in your home without electricity, you should always be prepared.

Having a wide variety of batteries in your home that work with various appliances you may need in a disaster is a great idea. Be sure to think ahead and purchase what you need far in advance of a possible disaster. You will certainly be glad you thought ahead if a disaster were to strike!

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Please note: All personal opinions expressed in the "A Battery of Basics – Why Batteries are so Important in Disaster Preparedness" article belong to the contributing author and are not necessarily shared by BellwetherPress.com.

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