The Illinois Emergency Management Agency says first aid kits, flashlights, and weather radios can make useful stocking stuffers.
The group says it’s focusing on holiday safety, but the items could be used throughout the year, in case of flooding or other natural disasters.
Patti Thompson, with IEMA, says safety gifts are important, but often overlooked.
“Things like a weather radio that will alert them when there’s severe weather or a tornado headed their way – even like stocking stuffers, like a flashlight, extra batteries, and a first aid kit," Thompson said.
She says these kinds of gifts can help show that you care about others’ safety.
“I’ve actually given these type of gifts myself in the past to relatives," she says. "I’ve given them flashlights, and I’ve given them smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. And these are things people might overlook buying for themselves, but they can really come in handy when an emergency happens.”
Thompson says most preparedness gifts can be found in hardware or department stores.
