5 Essential Emergency Items You Need to Have

5 Essential Emergency Items You Need to Have Emergencies are unpredictable, but one thing’s for sure: you’ll want to be prepared. Whether you're stuck in the middle of nowhere or dealing with a surprise power outage, having the right emergency items on hand can make all the difference. Here’s a list of five essential items you should always have around — because life’s unexpected, and it’s better to be safe than sorry (and wet, hungry, or freezing!). 1. Flashlight (and Extra Batteries, Please!) Picture this: It’s 2 AM, and the power goes out. You groggily reach for your phone, but guess what? You forgot to charge it. Now you’re stumbling around in the dark like a confused raccoon. Not fun. That’s why a trusty flashlight is a must-have. Pick one that’s bright enough to light up the room and, of course, don’t forget to stash some extra batteries. A flashlight can save you from the chaos of searching for a candle, which, let’s be real, is usually just as likely to catch fire as it is to give you light.