23 Emergency Preparedness Items To Buy For The Older People In Your Life

Be it a weather event, car trouble, or other type of emergency situation, these safety expert–suggested tools and products may help your loved one.

In times of natural disasters, extreme weather events or other emergency situations, it’s hard not to immediately think of the most vulnerable among us, particularly the older folks in our lives who might have a more difficult time accessing aid.

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For occasions like these, it’s never a bad idea to stock up a loved one’s home or car with emergency preparedness items and safety tools that offer potentially lifesaving benefits. If you’re looking to gift a parent, grandparent, or friend with such a supply, but don’t know where to start, you’ve come to the right place.

We’ve done extensive reporting on emergency preparedness by utilizing global aid sites and speaking with various safety experts and other emergency-coordination officials regarding the items that everyone should have in case of an emergency.

In the list ahead, you can find some of the best products among these recommendations and findings that may be able to help older adults safely navigate everything from winter-related power outages to roadside problems to hurricanes and every emergency in between.

1. An indoor-safe space heater

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Powered by propane, this radiant portable heating system by Mister Heater can safely heat indoor spaces of up to 225 square feet for over five hours on the lowest setting. For added protection, a built-in safety sensor automatically shuts off the heater if it has been tipped over or if low oxygen levels are detected in the room.

Promising review: "Just opened the box and hooked up a propane cylinder. Then I pushed down several times to finally see a flame and counted to 30 seconds. Then I turned the knob to low and it lit up. Then I tested it on high and the unit got brighter and hotter. It got warm really fast. I’m looking forward to trying this out in my hunting-ground blind in December. So far satisfied." —Ty

Get it from Amazon for $74.

2. A high-lumens tactical flashlight

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Perfect for stashing in a night stand, a grab-and-go emergency bag or in the car, this compact and high lumen tactical flashlight is incredibly bright, compact and durable enough to withstand a number of environmental conditions. It also has a zoom feature so you can focus on a single spot or flood an entire area, and three AAA batteries are included.

Promising review: "I like that it is small comfortable to hold. The focus works well. The battery life is good as expected. And the battery came in box.👍 All together it is a good product, with wow price." —Imtiaz Mahmud

Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (also available in packs of two).

3. An emergency hand-crank weather radio

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A number of survivalist and safety experts previously told HuffPost that crank weather radios are a must for emergencies. For instance, in situations where cell service is down or batteries are depleted, this NOAA-official hand-crank and battery-powered emergency radio can keep users up to date with weather advisories in their area. There's also a USB charging cable to keep phones charged, a loud SOS alarm for emergencies and a handy LED lamp to light dark areas.

Promising review: "Has a hand crank so you can ALWAYS have power. Can be charged solar. Can be used with batteries. Charges your device, has flashlight, radio, compass, and strap. Hurricane, tornado, earthquake, camping, travel, hiking, emergency kit in the trunk. You must have one." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $32.39+ (available in three colors).

4. A passive gravity water filtration system

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Riccardo Zennaro, coordinator for the UN's Global Wastewater Initiative, previously told HuffPost that in the event of flood, you might not know whether your water has been contaminated by sewage or chemicals. Most likely, however, it's been contaminated by both. In this case, he recommends passive gravity water filtering systems to get the cleanest and safest water possible.

This gravity fed water system, like all gravity systems, requires no electricity or running water to work. It has a capacity over 2 gallons and uses the process of reverse osmosis, in addition to two carbon filters, to effectively filter out a number of impurities.

Promising review: "I have to say that I always thought my tap water was excellent, the town does a great job of flushing and testing, so I wasn't really expecting too much of a difference. I have read a lot about water filtration and figured I'd give it a try. I'm so happy I did, the water tastes amazing. The system is really easy to set up and use. The tank is a bit large, so you need to have enough counter space, but I like the look of it in my kitchen. I'd definitely recommend it as a low price option." —Patrick Bellavance

Get it from Amazon for $134.99+ (available in three styles).

5. A large quantity of nonperishable food

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Charlotte Fadipe, a California Earthquake Authority representative, previously told HuffPost that households should ideally stock at least a three days’ supply of food and water for each person and pet.

When stocking up on heavy, cumbersome cans of food isn't ideal, this non-perishable food variety pack by ReadyWise contains 124 servings of ready-to-eat meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and even includes beverages. Just add hot or cold water to enjoy items like savory beef stroganoff and apple cinnamon oatmeal.

Promising review: "The product is great. Tested the cheesy macaroni and it was almost as good as my wife’s. The company that shipped it was very friendly and efficient, getting the order right out to me and delivered sooner than expected." —Pairaducks

Get it from Amazon for $99.99.

6. A 24-pack of electrolyte-infused water

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As Fadipe previously mentioned, keeping a stocked water supply is imperative and this 24-pack of easily accessible water bottles can be a simple solution for anyone that doesn't want to bother with countertop water filters. Essentia's water is also infused with trace amounts of electrolytes to provide a better taste.

Promising review: "Nice, clean, pure water. Essenetia is a top brand for a reason, it is one of the best, if not the best!" —PrepayEasy

Get it from Amazon for $36.95.

7. A multitool

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Seismologist Peggy Hellweg previously told HuffPost that having easy access to tools in the event of natural disaster-related emergencies is important — preferably a multitool like this set of pliers that features 12 different integrated tools within one butterfly design. Users can access everything from scissors to flathead screwdrivers, wire cutters to a plain edge blade.

Promising review: "The Multitool is a pocket-sized powerhouse. With its array of functions – from cutting to screwing – it's a versatile companion for various tasks. Compact design, sturdy build – a go-to gadget for everyday convenience." —Shin

Get it from Amazon for $28.99+ (available in three colors).

8. A wildly popular portable power station

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With the Jackery 240 portable power station, you can charge important electronic devices like phones and tablets on the go or during a power outage. It uses a completely silent rechargeable lithium battery or it can be charged with Jackery solar panels (sold separately).

Promising review: "I’m a baseball mom that is at tournaments every weekend. This has been a most have for us. From charging phones, GoPros, and even fans. But today it’s phones by the pool. If you don’t have one get one." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $219.

9. A portable personal water filter

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This portable filtering straw has stood up to rigorous lab testing protocols for water filters and is a must-have for frequent hikers and campers, too. The micro-filtration membrane removes 99.99% of all waterborne bacteria, parasites and micro-plastics and will provide 4,000 liters of fresh drinking water in its lifespan.

Promising review: "I have purchased several LifeStraws throughout the years and have always had good experiences with them. I keep one in my vehicle for emergencies as well. This newer model not only is smaller and better than the older models, it also can filter more water before needing replaced. It does take some lung power to draw the water through the filter but I don't use it for drinking all day long. I use it for kayaking/hiking trips etc. So, mostly for emergencies or if I end up drinking all the water I brought with me and need more." —Adam Coop

Get it from Amazon for $17.16+ (available in multi-packs and two colors).

10. A pair of LED headlamps for hands-free lighting

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With a runtime of 10 hours or more on low, you don't have to worry about stumbling around a dark house to go to the bathroom or otherwise finding your way around in the middle of a power outage. Each of these AAA battery-operated LED headlamps has seven different light modes, including a red nightlight and a strobe setting that can be useful for capturing attention during an emergency.

Promising review: "It is an amazing light especially for the price! I have dogs i have to take out at night and even on the lowest setting i can see them out to almost a hundred yards. The red light seems plenty bright enough to use getting out to your deer stand before daylight no problem. Don't know how long it will last but i am very satisfied right now." —Amazon Customer

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $19.99.

11. A solar-powered charging bank

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Jon Gudel, a California state emergency services coordinator, previously explained to HuffPost that utilizing phone apps to receive guidance during an emergency can be incredibly important, so he suggested having back-up chargers in your emergency kit.

This portable power bank can be charged using either solar power or an electric socket and can even double as a flashlight. It has enough ports to support rapid charging of three devices simultaneously and can fully charge an iPhone 14 Pro twice on a single charge.

Promising review: "I live in a zone where hurricane Ian hit. We lost power, we still don't have power a few days later. Having this devise that I can charge during the day by the sun is a major relief. The flash light is strong, and i have had it charge two phones at once. I ver recommend it for all. All my family and friends will be buying once we regain electricity. Definitely a buy!!!" —Leno M.

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $19.99 (available in five colors).

12. A pair of emergency seat belt cutters and window hammers

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When in a potentially dangerous situation inside of a car, this type of emergency safety tool — an item previously recommended to us by a Philadelphia-based mechanic — can be vital to have. It has a razor-sharp stainless-steel blade that can quickly slice through a jammed seatbelt, and a metal double-head hammer that can break through tempered glass. This set of two from Amazon Basics has a 4.7-star rating.

Promising review: "My puppy got tangled in her leash, car seat safety clip, harness clip, and seat belt. The release buckles could not even release because it was twisted so tightly. I knew I had to cut her free, it was such a relief when it hit me I had the seat belt cutter under the seat. I never thought I would use it, but so glad I had it today." —Elizabeth

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $11.39.

13. A digital tire pressure gauge

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We previously spoke to mechanics Cheyenne Ruether and Bogi (who goes by her first name) about everything you need to fix a flat tire. They suggested using a digital pressure gauge to check tires monthly in order to help stop tire-related accidents before they happen. This particular easy-to-use tool has four settings to check pressure on a variety of tires and a built-in LED flashlight to make it easier to take readings in the dark.

Promising review: "Wow! I’m impressed!! Fits great in my hand, and it worked right out of the box. It gave an accurate reading of my tires. I received a low pressure sensor in my car and used this right away. I filled my tires to 35 psi and the sensor went off. I also read the instructions on how to change the batteries when needed. It works great! I’m very happy and I recommend it." —Kai_Love

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three colors).

14. A portable tire inflator

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When a tire is low on air, this portable air compressor can save a driver the trouble of having to deal with the often-broken coin-operated machines at the gas station. It simply connects to a car's 12V outlet while the hose nozzle attaches to the tire valve to inflate most standard tires. The compressor also has an automatic shut-off feature so there's never any risk of over-inflation. Simply enter the desired tire pressure and let it work! It has a digital tire gauge so you'll always know if you need to top off before a road trip.

Promising review: "We went out to my son's car this morning to find an almost flat tire, aired it up in about five minutes. My son drives a Honda Civic for tire reference. Incredibly grateful for this, we will be putting it in his trunk." —Shanuel

Get it from Amazon for $27.97+ (available in two sizes and seven colors).

15. A set of anti-skid traction devices for tires

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Slick, wet, or frozen roads are not the safest for anyone to drive on, but these anti-skid devices can add an element of safety. These durable textured straps fit tire sizes of 175–296 and can also help free a vehicle that's stuck in the snow or mud.

Promising review: "I love these things for getting out slick spots. One or two on each drive tire will get you up and out of a frozen driveway or the shoulder of a snowy road. Using a full set actually seems to work better than cable chains but only for about 10 miles at low speeds. If you frequently drive in icy/snowy conditions, these things can be a lifesaver." —Cljcrescent

Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $17.74.

16. A portable gas-powered stove

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To boil hot water or heat up a meal in instances when electric ranges are unusable, a portable gas-powered stove like this top-rated option by Gas One can be a lifesaving essential. This high-output stove comes with a carrying case, four cans of butane and an automatic safety shutoff.

Promising review: "It was really a good purchase, the stove is very easy to use, highly recommended." —Lusvin Tista

Get it from Amazon for $29.58. 

17. A pair of emergency whistles

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Wilderness self-reliance educator and traditional skills practitioner Donald Dust recently recommended having a whistle handy in any emergency to-go bag. This pair of double-tubed emergency whistles can be heard at a long distance, are made with strong aluminum alloy material, and are lightweight and water-resistant.

Promising review: "Bought for hiking and kayaking. Didn't want another piece of plastic and wanted something sturdy and easy to clean. These little whistles do not disappoint. Loud, light, sturdy, and come with accessories. Great price! Would recommend!" —AJ

Get them from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in six colors).

18. An easy-to-hang indoor LED lamp

Luminad

This lightweight and collapsible LED lamp can light up rooms when power has gone out. It can be charged by both the sun or a USB port to provide up to 24 hours of run time per charge.

Promising review: "I love these lanterns. The Firefly is a warm light with several brightness settings. I have a couple of them and the white light ones. I use them all the time and highly recommend them for all occasions." —Beverly

Get it from Luminad for $30 (available in three colors).

19. A rechargeable waterproof lighter

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This electric, wind- and waterproof lighter is easily recharged via USB so you never have to worry about having a back up source of lighter fluid in an emergency situation. It also comes attached to paracord lanyard so it can be worn around the neck or tied onto a backpack strap.

Promising review: "So far the lighter has worked great. Still working on the charge it had when it arrived after three days. Easy to use waterproof lighter. Well worth the money so far." —Alex C.

Get it from Amazon for $8.87+ (available in six colors).

20. A four-pack of emergency mylar blankets

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The Red Cross recommends emergency blankets, which can be useful in situations in which electrical heating systems aren't operational. These dual-sided mylar blankets come packed in waterproof storage bags, are 52 by 82 inches and are designed to retain body heat and block rain, snow and moisture.

Promising review: "The compact case and individual bags each blanket came in are higher quality than I expected. These will fit just about anywhere you would need to keep emergency blankets. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a set of four to keep on hand." —Corey Mendelsohn

Get a four-pack from Amazon for $24.99.

21. A portable and rechargeable jump starter

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In times of dangerous inclement weather, the last thing you want is for your loved one to be stranded due to car troubles. Instead of relying on AAA, this handheld device can be used to revive a full-sized car or SUV using the included jumper cables. It also has a powerful LED floodlight and two USB ports for charging your essential electronics.

Promising review: "This is a lot easier and a lot more compact than jumper cables and does exactly the job that it says it will. You can also use it to charge your phone or any other USB device. And it even has a place where you can plug in a cord. The charge last For almost a year." —Sheri

Get it from Amazon for $70.31+ (available in six colors).

22. An 84-count assorted battery pack

Amazon

During any kind of power outage, it's more than likely your loved one will be pretty reliant on battery-powered items such as flashlights and radios. This deluxe variety pack of batteries has an impressive shelf life and will ensure that they have the correct battery size for all needs. This assortment includes AA, AAA and 9-Volt batteries.

Promising review: "The price was fantastic. I use a lot of batteries and they can be expensive when bought in small quantities. I'm very pleased with my.purchase and speed in which they arrived." —Stoni

Get them from Amazon for $31.87+ (available in various sets).

23. A three-pack of long-burning emergency candles

Amazon

Keep a home safely lit while also adding a touch of ambience with these liquid oil emergency candles by SDS. Each candle can burn for 14 days straight without creating overpowering scents, smoke or messy soot burnoff. When they're no longer needed, users can simply replace the cap and store them for next time.

Promising review: "We recently lost power for almost three full days. These candles are great to have for emergencies such as this. I will keep a pack stored for this purpose." —J. McGlynn

Get them from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two pack sizes).

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.