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

We all know how important a hurricane kit is. Water, non-perishable items (three to five days per person), first aid and medical supplies, flashlights, batteries, chargers, refrigerators, home repair equipment, and entertainment are just some of the hurricane kit essentials.

As technology evolves rapidly, there are some innovative gadgets worth adding to your kit as Florida prepares for Hurricane Milton:

• How about a solar powered charging pad? These are portable, foldable solar panels that can charge devices when the power goes out and all batteries are used up or occupied. How useful are they? About five to six hours of full sun are enough to charge a cell phone or tablet.

• Maybe consider a portable solar power station. They come with AC, USB and 12V connections. This means you can power lights, fans, medical devices, refrigerators, freezers, cell phones and iPads. These systems are legally portable because you can find some that weigh less than 35 pounds. Best of all, you can refill these power plants in just four hours.

• Every kit needs a cooler, but what about a puncture-proof, waterproof and leak-proof cooler? Not only have refrigerators become more durable, but many of these advanced refrigerators keep products cold for days rather than hours.

As technology develops, our hurricane kit also changes. Be prepared and safe this season!