6 Backup Pieces of Equipment Every Home Needs

No matter how prepared we think we are for accidents, sudden events can disrupt our everyday routines. This could be anything from power outages, water cuts, sudden injuries, or lack of batteries. Whatever the reason, you will need specific equipment that can help you when you’re in a tight situation. It will allow you to carry on with your regular daily activities until things get back to normal again. Read on to learn more about these essential 6 backup pieces of equipment that might help you save the day.

1. Fire Alarms and Fire Extinguishers

You will need fire alarms in every room and a couple of fire extinguishers close by just in case. You’d be surprised to learn that there are several common causes of house fires. No matter how hard you try to prevent them, it is a possibility that you must be prepared for. This is why you need a proper fire alarm system installed that can detect fire heat and smoke. The alarm will let you know that you should get the extinguisher as fast to be prepared to handle a house fire. Depending on how fast you handle the situation, you might avert getting your house burned down. Having these pieces of equipment is crucial for every home no matter where you live.

2. Backup Generator

Every household needs a backup generator to ensure that the electricity keeps on running when there is a power outage. Depending on the devices and appliances you need to use, you could either invest in a few generators with a low 3000 to 4000 wattages or you could get a big one with 6000 wattages. You must learn the wattage requirements of all your items to know which generator you need. The state of California has its fair share of hot and cold weather. This means that you need a proper generator for your heating and air conditioning needs, so remember to get a generator that has enough wattage to cover both. Most HVAC devices need at least 3500 wattages, so having a strong generator that can cover that, as well as other devices around the house, can be quite handy. 

3. Flashlights

You will always find a use for flashlights because they can save you in tight spots every time. Whenever it gets dark suddenly or you’re searching for something in deep or tight spaces, having proper lighting is key to guide your way. A decent flashlight is always good for emergencies and you can rest assured that they are one of the most useful pieces of equipment that your house will need. You can get the regular ones with batteries, the ones powered by solar energy, or the ones that have hand-crank technology to power the flashlight. You can choose which flashlight type you like the most.

4. Portable Chargers

Having a set of portable chargers for smartphones or laptops can be quite handy. A portable charger can be useful when something happens to your outlets, you lose or misplace your charger, or the power gets cut off. It would be wise to have several of them at home.

5. Life Raft

You might need a life raft if you’re living in an area that is prone to severe flooding. Your car won’t help you and waiting for rescue teams on your roof isn’t a good option either. Having a life raft ready that can carry you and your family to safety can be the best choice to stay afloat and during floods. You should always get the larger ones because you never know if one of your neighbors may need help, too.

6. Multi-Tool Knife

You can always find a good use for a multi-tool knife. It gives you 33 different functions that can help in several ways. It’s a decent compact tool that every household should have. It can serve as your screwdriver, bottle opener, pliers, scissors, corkscrew, tweezers, wire cutter, can opener, and a lot more with its small and large blades.

It is wise to prepare for any type of sudden disruption or emergency at home that might stop you from using your appliances or devices. You need to think about the common occurrences that could happen in your area and find suitable pieces of equipment that will make your life easier. Whether you got your electricity cut off, no running water, sudden fires, or even a burnt-out light bulb, you just need to take the preemptive step and get the equipment needed that can make those occurrences easier to handle.