These Essential Household Items Could Save Your Life

Having a fire extinguisher on hand in the kitchen, garage, and next to the fireplace should be a no-brainer. A multipurpose fire extinguisher, like the Kidde FA 110, will protect your home and family in the event of a fire. It’s effective as a first defense against common combustible fires, as well as grease and electrical fires, and you may get a discount on your homeowners insurance.

When disaster strikes, you need an escape plan. If your preferred method of escape involves taking the stairs, give yourself an alternative means of exit through an upstairs window. For that you’ll need a fire escape ladder. It can be stored compactly in a closet or under a bed, and deploys quickly and easily by attaching to most common window types. Buy one for each upstairs bedroom and sleep a lot easier.

Since there’s no way to see or smell carbon monoxide, it’s important to have a detector that can alert you to rising CO levels so you can evacuate the house. The Kidde Carbon Monoxide Detector plugs into the wall but also has a battery backup, making it a solid choice. It can be installed into any standard power outlet, which means it can go anywhere in your home, or with you while you travel.

You might already employ super glue as a cure-all for bonding broken household items. But did you know you can also use it in a pinch to close a small wound? If you have a clean cut that’s not too deep and don’t have bandages available, put a small amount of Gorilla Super Glue over the wound and spread it evenly before it dries. It will create a web-like sealant over the area that will keep the wound closed until new skin forms. Any cyanoacrylate formula glue will work.

Everyone relies on their mobile devices for driving directions, information, and emergency contacts, which means a dead battery can leave you lost and stranded. Investing in a portable battery pack like this one from Anker means you’ll never be left with a dead phone again. The Anker Power Bank fits in your pocket and has a 10,000mAh battery, allowing it to charge modern iPhones twice when it’s fully charged.

The best way to stay safe against electric shock is to install GFCI outlets. These receptacles monitor the difference in the electrical current flowing in and out of a light fixture, tool, or appliance. If that difference exceeds 5 milliamps, the GFCI shuts off the current almost instantly, which could save your life or prevent a fire, should a ground fault occur. If your home doesn’t have GFCI outlets where they are required by the National Electric Code, you can retrofit them.

An emergency fire blanket is a must-have for the kitchen, car, or your next camping adventure. Not only can it suppress a variety of fires (including grease and liquid) by smothering, but you can also wrap it around yourself and use it as a heat shield, should you need to escape a fire. The Tonyko Fiberglass Fire Blanket will not only put out a kitchen fire with less mess than an extinguisher but will also create a fireproof barrier between you and the flames.

In the event of a natural disaster, being able to quickly and easily turn off the gas or water supplies could save both lives and property. With a multifunction utility tool like the Green Goods 4-in-1 Emergency Tool, you can shut off your gas or water mains, pry open doors and windows, and dig through rubble. Keep an emergency essential like this close to your gas meter.

It’s likely that you already have cling wrap somewhere in your kitchen cabinets, but you might not know that it can do more than preserve food. It can also help to heal minor burns. After running cold water over the burned area to take away the heat, wrap it in Glad Cling Wrap. That will help keep the area clean and hydrated while covering the exposed nerve endings that are screaming in pain.

A portable jump starter can come to the rescue if your battery dies in an empty parking lot late at night. Compact enough to store in your glovebox, the DBPOWER Peak 1600A 18000mAh Portable Car Jump Starter has jumper cables attached. It features a built-in compass that will help you find your way if your other devices are out of battery.

Campers, hikers, and survivalists know that being able to start a fire can save you if you’re stranded in bad weather. A multifunctional survival tool like the Survival Spark Magnesium Survival Fire Starter with Compass and Whistle is a triple-pack of protection. The magnesium fire starter rod will help you get a flame going, the compass will give you direction, and the whistle will help you signal distress.

Whether you’re camping, or preparing for a storm, a supply of fresh water is essential for survival. The Reliance Aqua-Tainer 7 Gallon Rigid Water Container is suitable for both outdoor activities and emergency water storage. It has a hideaway spigot for easy water dispensing, and conveniently stacks when it’s empty. Consider keeping a few stored away to fill in the event of an emergency.

You can’t survive more than a couple of days without a supply of clean drinking water. The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter can filter up to 264 gallons of contaminated water, removing 99.9% of waterborne bacteria and protozoan parasites. Perfect for hiking, camping, traveling, or emergency preparedness, millions have used it around the globe since 2005. 

Gain peace of mind with inexpensive, easy-to-install, window and door alarms. Not only will the GE Personal Security Window/Door Alarm sound an alarm should an intruder try to gain entry into your home, but it can also alert you with a chime should someone (like a small child) leave the house. It takes only minutes to install and activate, and because it requires no wiring, it’s perfect for homeowners and renters alike.

In the wintertime, if the power goes out, so does your heat. If the electricity stays off for anything more than a few hours, a back-up heat source is crucial. That’s where a Mr. Heater Buddy can save your skin. Powered by propane, and safe for both outdoor and indoor use, it will heat up to 225 square feet, and can keep you and your family comfortable in an emergency.

An emergency radio is an essential tool during a major storm or power outage. When you don’t have access to the internet to get safety or weather updates, the Raynic Emergency Radio transmits NOAA emergency alerts. It offers a variety of power methods, with a built-in rechargeable battery, a hand crank, a solar panel, and the ability to use AAA batteries.

During major storms and floods, your home’s drinking water can become contaminated with a variety of dangerous substances. The SJ Wave 16 in 1 Drinking Water Test Kit analyzes your water and tests for pH, hardness, and a variety of common contaminants like lead and chlorine. It provides results in just a couple of minutes and includes 100 test strips so you can regularly check to ensure the water you’re drinking is clean and safe.

Every home needs a well-stocked first aid kit, and the Band-Aid Portable Compact First Aid Kit includes everything you need to handle minor injuries including bug bites, scrapes, burns, and rashes. Inside you’ll find gauze, non-stick pads, tape, cleansing wipes, antibiotic cream, bandages, and much more. It all comes in a convenient carrying case, ensuring it’s portable so you have it whenever you need it.

Every home needs smoke alarms. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that there should be a smoke alarm on every floor of your home, as well as a smoke alarm outside all of the home’s bedrooms for optimal safety. This First Alert Smoke Alarm is tamper-resistant and has an ionization sensor for top-notch accuracy.

Many people know to keep extra water on hand in case of an emergency, but it’s just as important to consider your food supply. The AUGASON FARMS Emergency Food Supply Bucket includes non-perishable food that should last for 30 days or 200 meals, depending on the number of people in your household.

Ensure your home is safe from intruders using a smart security camera link the Blink Mini. It offers round-the-clock monitoring with motion detection and two-way audio, enabling users to interact with people and pets from a smartphone. The device sends motion-triggered alerts and allows for customized detection zones. The Blink Mini integrates with Alexa for voice commands and comes with a camera, mounting kit, USB cable, and power adapter.