You don’t have to be a doomsday prepper to understand the value of a good disaster kit. Whether you’re in an area that’s prone to dangerous weather, fires, or other extreme acts of nature, you may already have one assembled. Even if you don’t, read on to learn why we think you should add a megaphone to that survival kit, and which models are ideal. First, let’s do a quick review of the other items you’ll want to make sure to include.
Don’t Forget the Basics
All disaster kits should contain plenty of water (one gallon per person per day) and food (several days’ worth of nonperishables), according to Ready.gov. As for other essentials, FEMA has you covered. Their outline for a basic disaster kit includes flashlights, batteries, first aid, dust masks, plastic sheeting, wrenches and pliers, a manual can opener, and local maps.
So what about communication? It probably won’t come as a surprise that Ready.gov recommends having a cellphone, preferably with a backup battery. The same goes for a whistle that you can use to signal for help. In our opinion, though, a megaphone would be more reliable than both of these combined.
Here’s why.
1. Cellphones Can Be Unreliable
Whether we’re talking about older “brick” phones, or the latest smart devices, mobile phones aren’t the most reliable options in an extreme emergency. Cell towers can get overwhelmed when too many users try to connect, which can end up dropping or denying a lot of calls. Plus, if the disaster damages that tower, you’ll be left without any reception.
2. Whistles Are Loud, but Megaphones Are Versatile
We’d like to clarify that we aren’t discouraging you from using whistles. You may already own one that easily competes with the decibel level and range of a megaphone. But whistles only make one sound, and megaphones can carry your voice, so you be the judge of which one is more versatile when you need to get people’s attention for help.
Honorable Mention: Handheld Two-Way Radios
FEMA also mentions having either a battery-powered or hand crank radio. Our friends over at Discount Two-Way Radio would certainly agree. If you want the most durable, cost-effective models on the market, make sure to ask them about RCA.
Which Megaphones Are Ideal
If you’re looking for the best megaphones for your emergency kit, you want models that are easy to carry, and that offer the farthest range, clearest sound quality, and longest battery life. Our top two recommendations are the THUN-450 and THUN-1200.
Operating at 35 watts of power and effective up to 1400 yards, THUN-450s offer voice amplification up to 108 decibels (dB) and sirens at 120 dB. They’re normally recommended for political rallies, outdoor festivals, and religious congregations.
Rocking 45 watts of power and effective up to 2000 yards, THUN-1200s (AKA “Earthquake Makers”) easily reach 112 dB for voice and 122 dB for sirens. They’re normally recommended for military training, firefighters, security, and massive gatherings.
Business, or Personal Use?
We suggest the loudest megaphones because we assume you’ll want to be heard as far away as possible, but there are also less powerful options that are just as durable and reliable, depending on the needs of your situation. Whether you’re ordering these models on behalf of a business or for personal use, all ThunderPower megaphones guarantee that your voice will be heard. And, if you’re part of an on-the-ground relief effort instead of those seeking aid, we have options that are ideal for coordinating emergency response.
Are You Prepared?
Don’t risk being caught unprepared without a proper disaster kit. As the saying goes, it’s better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. Take a look at some of the megaphone models that are currently in stock and available to ship as soon as today, then let us know if you have any questions.
Looking for additional resources? The Red Cross has a helpful quiz to test your emergency preparedness, and Discount Two-Way Radio offers the most powerful commercial radios on the market.