Being ready for an emergency is important, and preparing an emergency kit before disaster strikes is a critical piece of the puzzle. We built our kit a few years ago, and go through it each spring to see what needs to be replaced. In the past we always purchased separate gear for our kit with no intention of ever using these items outside of an emergency. While this plan seems prudent initially, it leads to a lot of waste down the road when items expire or stop working after years of sitting in the kit. Good news! Thanks to advances in technology and gear, preparing an emergency kit that is actually useful on a daily basis is possible. The items we’ve picked are versatile enough that you can use them for camping and outdoor adventures, and still have them ready in case the unthinkable happens. We selected items that also tap into renewable sources of energy, so you always have power and supplies when you need them. Plus, this type of gear is earth-friendly, and less expensive in the long run.