If a natural disaster hits home, these things could see you through the crucial days before the situation improves, or you are evacuated to a safer spot.
1. Purifying Tablets or Portable Filters
If you are afraid of running out of water over an imponderable number of days marooned at home, experts suggest water-purifying tablets or a portable water filter straw that you can use, as long as you have access to flowing water. Purifiers like these transport much more easily than packaged water in case you need to evacuate your home, and will see you through until you have a supply of safe drinking water. A multi-use straw with an in-built filter and soluble tablets that purify a litre of water are among your options.
![These items could help you stay safe and in communication with the outside world.](https://images.thequint.com/thequint%2F2018-08%2Fb3c6b44e-2f85-4ea7-9b57-c46111aa04b2%2Fdownload.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fmt=webp&width=720)
2. Sustainable Light Source
It has turned dark – your stressful day without electricity just got worse – it becomes a stressful night. At night, you will need to see indoors and outdoors. Phone torches use up precious battery, and also need to be held by hand.
If you’re indoors, a gallon of water in a clear plastic bottle placed next to a light source like a candle or battery-operated torch will spread more light through a room. For the outdoors or if you need more focused light, use a head light. It can be secured on your forehead and free up your hands to do whatever work or preparation needs to be done.
![These items could help you stay safe and in communication with the outside world.](https://images.thequint.com/thequint%2F2018-08%2Fc8699626-7eb2-4937-880b-1e48ca5d3afe%2Ftuscan_ultra_high_beam_head_original_imae2bjtxcstvffp__1_.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fmt=webp&width=720)
3. Landline
Embrace your landline, not because it is a vintage contraption, but because it can be your line of contact when there is no electricity. Ditch the cordless landline, as that still needs current. Use the old-fashioned phone that plugs directly into the telephone line in your wall. If you don’t have one, then a mouth whistle attracts attention to your location when you can’t make a phone call.
![These items could help you stay safe and in communication with the outside world.](https://images.thequint.com/thequint%2F2018-08%2F22b333ea-142d-445b-bc5d-128bd0750296%2Fpanasonic_telephone_set_500x500.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fmt=webp&width=720)
4. Solar Chargers
Solar cell phone chargers will keep your life line, your cell phone, alive and well with or without electricity.
![These items could help you stay safe and in communication with the outside world.](https://images.thequint.com/thequint%2F2018-08%2Fd004f130-627b-459c-91a6-620569639b41%2F61NfM7M830L__SL1000_.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fmt=webp&width=720)
5. Non-Perishables
Non-perishable dry foods like breakfast cereal work well for children who may not like snack bars; so do powdered milk, puffed rice, salty biscuits and baby food, if needed.
![These items could help you stay safe and in communication with the outside world.](https://images.thequint.com/thequint%2F2018-08%2Fb98ff0a6-d091-4aad-b279-ac090d7b2b48%2Fmasala_puffed_rice.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fmt=webp&width=720)
6. Waterproof Bags
A waterproof container or pouch to keep identity cards, cash, essential documents and essential medication will save your essentials from being damaged.
![These items could help you stay safe and in communication with the outside world.](https://images.thequint.com/thequint%2F2018-08%2F57586d80-441e-4868-9c76-f6e6f4765b85%2FE0_EA_DA_8A_1F_22_90_1D_23_FA_EE_C1_E7_DB_99_5A.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fmt=webp&width=720)
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