As the festive season is upon us, the search for meaningful gifts takes center stage for many. This year, the Oregon Office of Emergency Management suggests a pivot towards gifting essentials that could significantly matter in an emergency. Practicality reigns with items that promise more than temporary joy—they offer preparedness and a semblance of control amid unforeseen crises.
To truly make a difference this holiday season, consider earnestly assembling gifts of readiness, a sentiment echoed by the Oregon Department of Emergency Management. These gifts range from well-stocked emergency kits for the home or car to more advanced gadgets that could prove lifesaving in desperate times, according to the Oregon Department of Emergency Management. Home kits could include meals ready to eat, emergency toilets, and essentials like a manual can opener. Car kits, on the other hand, might feature jumper cables, snow brushes, and foldable shovels. For both environments, it's recommended to add a multipurpose knife, duct tape, and flashlights.
Beyond these kits, one can also impart the knowledge and skills needed to navigate emergencies. Gifting first aid and CPR classes or outdoor survival workshops instill not just preparedness, but confidence. Home safety also gets a nod with suggestions for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and weatherization services for dealing with winter's harshness.
For those less inclined to piece together such kits themselves, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management suggests creating a basic go-bag that houses essentials including food, water, first-aid supplies, a weather radio, and extra batteries. It's the kind of gift that says, "I care," without having to say much at all.
Community involvement gifts further extend this theme of preparedness. Whether it's signing up with a local Community Emergency Response Team or making a donation to organizations that support disaster relief, such acts of giving could make lasting impacts. These suggestions and more can be found on the OEM's "Be2Weeks Ready" website, an initiative encouraging residents to be self-sufficient for at least two weeks following a disaster.
