Most people are notorious procrastinators when it comes to emergency preparedness. This is why you can go to any grocery or hardware store to witness a complete panic in action the day before a major storm hits… or the day after a terrorist attack.
Well, among the things you might need, a small emergency radio should be near the top. Let’s face it, information is crucial to decision making during an emergency.
Radio Shack is now offering a compact emergency radio called the FR300, cobranded by the American Red Cross, for $49.00. It offers a number of excellent features:
- It’s small – 6.5″ x 6″ x 2.5″
- It receives AM / FM / Weather band and TV band frequencies.
- It has a built in LED flashlight.
- It has an emergency siren.
- It will run off of a 110v outlet, internal batteries, or in the worst case off a built in hand crank.
- It will charge a cell phone if your battery dies.
So, now that you’re thinking about it why don’t you do your future self a favor and pick one of these up. You never know… it may one day save your life.
EDIT: March 22, 2010 – The FR300 is no longer available but you can check out newer models and others at Radio Shack.
It\’s now come to my attention that these radios are also available at: Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond, and
Amazon.com.