Should You Add Portable Solar Battery Chargers to Your Emergency List?



Posted: Wednesday, September 01, 2010

by Lisa Bell
Macell Incorporated

The Homeland Security Department's emergency list includes a long list of practical items to have in the event of an emergency. Among them are:

Games for the kids

Battery or crank powered radio with NOAA weather alerts

A flashlight with extra batteries

Local maps (GPS)

A cell phone with chargers

As a former navy wife we lived in several areas of the country. My resume with storms includes a 6.5 earthquake, 2 hurricane evacuations, a few that we didn't evacuate for, tornadoes, strong thunderstorms, a major ice storm, floods, fires and too many snowstorms to count. Without a doubt in my mind I will say that the emergency items will be very much appreciated when your emergency does happen, and since no one is immune from natures clean outs it will happen sometime. Some of these storms have longer lasting effects than others.

It takes awhile to get power lines up after so much of it gets destroyed. During an ice storm in New England 60% of the system had to be replaced in the three weeks, yes weeks , that the power was out. People went out in public to charge their cell phones just to speak to their insurance agents and to let their family know they were okay. Hurricanes can be much more devastating.

Stores are frequently closed or out of many items during storms, so you have to be self reliant during the long ones. Keeping non perishable food and medications for at least a week will be helpful as well.

No matter where you live it seems that after each storm the sun shines and most of us take the opportunity to waste that energy. Solar panels now come in solid panels, they are small and flexible and even pocket sized. It may be a wise investment not just for your emergency kit but for year round to keep a solar powered battery charger. Using solar battery chargers means that you can charge batteries, cell phones, radios, games and more when grid power is out.

Portable solar panels are an appliance that will make your life easier, much like a flashlight or a cell phone does. In a few years people will wonder what they ever did without them.

Using solar battery chargers when the power is on just saves you some money, using them to keep your cell phone charged to call for help during an emergency may save your life, either way it's a win.
Lisa Bell is the President of Macell Incorporated, which owns www.anpawi.com, (Anpa Wi is "sun" in the Dakota Native American Language) a solar products website. Lisa lives in Swanzey, NH and runs her business from her home, and she is trying to promote cleaner ways of living while being financially smart.

Lisa also has an interest in smart tools check out her page at: Face Book http://ja-jp.facebook.com/pages/Lisa-Bells-Tomboy-Tools-Page/304791597795

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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by Jennifer Stewart
 1 year 262 days ago.
153 fans.
I think a solar powered battery is a great idea. In fact I think solar powered anything is a good idea!
» left by Lisa Bell 1 year 262 days ago.
2 fans.
Thank you Jennifer! I agree. I am working to find more made in the US.
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