With recurrent natural disasters making news these days, emergency preparedness has become a much-publicized issue. But it’s not just the
government and
aid organizations encouraging people to be ready should a catastrophe hit. Emergency-related products that are both functional and fashionable are becoming popular consumer goods. Preparing for the worst never looked, or felt, so good.
Muji Emergency Kits: The recent memory of a devastating earthquake and tsunami has Japanese citizens thinking that they should be equipped for cataclysm at all times. Enter affordable lifestyle brand Muji to provide
emergency kits that organize people for evacuation at any time, and use sleek design in doing so. As part of its
“Whenever, Whatever” campaign, Muji introduced multiple go-kits stocked with everything consumers may need in case of disaster, from bandages, batteries and food to a stylish handkerchief and change of shirt. Modish containers—including a
clear, plastic briefcase,
minimalist child’s backpack, and
simple suitcase–allow the items to be stowed covertly, and handsomely, until needed. Which is, hopefully, never.
Power Outage Lighting System: Supermarket shelves on the East Coast were wiped clean of candles, flashlights and batteries, among other
provisions, well before Hurricane Irene made landfall. Those who didn’t beat the crowds could only hope they wouldn’t be
one of the millions to lose power. To alleviate worry over living in darkness, entrepreneur David Levine created the easy-to-install
Mr. Beams Home Power Outage Lighting System. A plug-in power detector senses when electricity is lost, whereupon LED lights illuminate the house via a wireless signal. The system can support more than 30 lights placed up to 70 feet away for 40 hours—enough time to weather the storm before a
utility crew arrives.
Emergency Cocktail Station: Natural disasters are nothing to make light of, yet some people leverage them as a chance to spend quality time with friends. Indeed, for those lucky enough not to be in true danger, Hurricane Irene served as the ultimate
party opportunity. This Emergency Cocktail Station from
Urbancase, a cheeky replica of a vintage first aid cabinet, provides the perfect space to stock all the supplies essential to making one’s storm bunker more raucous. As
entertaining at home gains retro appeal among underemployed young people, perhaps more Gen Ys will be trading Band-Aids and Neosporin for cocktail shakers and martini glasses, so when the post-hurricane hangover hits, a fitting
home remedy is pre-stocked.
