What Kind of Radio Is Used for Emergencies?
The federal government recommends including a battery-powered or hand-crank radio with NOAA weather access and alerts in your emergency kit.
Radios designed for emergencies are specifically tuned to find not only AM and FM radio, but they’re also able to access NOAA weather channels. They’re made to be powered independently of wall outlets in case the power grid goes out.
At the very least, go with a radio that will alert you to NOAA weather alerts and doesn’t require a plug to function. Perks, such as integrated flashlights or USB charging ports for your phone, are useful but not necessarily essential for emergency radios.
When Would I Need an Emergency Radio?
An emergency radio is most often used in emergency weather situations, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and severe storms. But they’re useful in any emergency situation, from fires to chemical spills.
If you live in or are visiting an area during a time in which storms are frequent, an emergency radio that can tune in to NOAA weather stations can provide a warning and help you prepare for a storm before it arrives. If you’re bunkered down during a storm,access to NOAA alerts can let you know when it’s safe to go outside or whether you need to evacuate your home.Because they don’t need an external power source like an outlet, emergency radios still work when a storm knocks out a power grid.This also makes it useful for long-range outdoor activities like backpacking or bike touring.
Additional features like blinking light beacons or emergency buzzers are also useful in any situation in which you may need to indicate your location to search parties.
What Is the Best NOAA Radio?
The best NOAA radios are designed specifically to receive alerts from NOAA as soon as they’re sent out, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They’re able to run without the use of an outlet in case a storm knocks out the power grid and often make use of integrated hand cranks and solar chargers to power the battery.
Aside from access to NOAA alerts, the biggest key to a great NOAA radio is its battery life. A smartphone is useful, but its
battery won’t last longer than a day. Hand-crank radios will keep you apprised of your situation indefinitely.
Just use the crank to power your radio and keep yourself informed. This way, you can save your phone’s battery (and in many cases,replenish it) for more important uses like calling for help.
Best Emergency Radios: Conclusion
Emergency radios are like smoke alarms. You hope you never have to use one, but you’re glad you have one around when you need it. They’re essential tools for surviving an emergency situation — or, ideally, avoiding one entirely — by heeding an early warning and getting out of Dodge before the storm hits.
Most radios we’ve seen cost around $20 (often less), but their value is incalculable.
Sources
What is NOAA Weather Radio? — National Weather Service
NOAA Weather Radio — National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association