What to have in your hurricane preparedness kits – NBC 6 South Florida

We all know the importance of a hurricane kit. Water, non-perishable food (for three to five days per person), medical and first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, chargers, coolers, home repair equipment and entertainment are just some of the essential items in your hurricane kit.

As technology rapidly advances, there are several innovative gadgets you should consider adding to your kit as Florida prepares for the arrival of Hurricane Milton:

• How about a solar powered charger? These are portable, foldable solar panels that can charge devices during power outages and when all your batteries are dead or busy. How useful are they? All you need is about five to six hours of full sunlight to charge your cell phone or tablet.

• Perhaps consider a portable solar-powered power station. These come with AC, USB and 12V connectors. This means you can run lights, fans, medical devices, refrigerators, freezers, cell phones and iPads. These systems are legitimately portable, as you can find some that weigh less than 35 pounds. Best of all, you can recharge these powerhouses in just four hours.

• Every kit needs a cooler, but how about a puncture-proof, leak-proof, leak-proof cooler? Not only have coolers become sturdier, but many of these advanced coolers keep items cold for days rather than hours.

As technology continues to evolve, so will our hurricane kit. Stay prepared and safe this season!