Chicago, IL (PRWEB) September 08, 2014
Late summer brings unpredictable weather, even hurricanes and tropical storms. If you’re lucky, you may have a few days to prepare before a disaster strikes, but in most emergency situations, like the recent earthquake in Napa, California, there’s little to no time to prepare, which is why it’s critical to plan ahead.
September marks Emergency Preparedness Month and government organizations like FEMA and Centers for Disease Control are encouraging Americans to take simple steps to ensure they’re prepared at a moment’s notice. Important reminders include:
- Create an emergency kit. Essentials include food, water, first aid, and a reliable source of light. Keep a kit in the car, at home, and at the office.
- Make a plan with family, as well as for pets. Pick a safe place to meet before or after the emergency situation.
- Stay connected and informed before, during, and after the disaster by keeping phone and computer batteries charged.
- Help if it is possible. If one is lucky to survive a natural disaster without harm, contact the local American Red Cross to see how to help support the relief efforts.
Safety First: Do Not Be Left in the Dark
Oftentimes, people forget to check their flashlights and the batteries are out during an emergency. No matter how large or small the emergency situation is, do not be left in the dark. Now there is a simple, battery-free solution to providing light when you most need it, which is why experts recommend everyone stock their emergency kit – at home, in the car and on the go – with the LuminAID light.
The LuminAID light is an innovative solar powered, inflatable light that can be charged in the sun during the day and provide up to 16 hours of LED light at night. It is the brain-child of Anna Stork and Andrea Sreshta, two architecture graduate students, who invented the light as a class project to assist post-earthquake relief efforts in Haiti. They considered the dangerous conditions at night in the tent cities and turned their attention to another critical need: light. They designed the LuminAID light to be easily distributed in times of need by packing and shipping flat. If kept in a window sill or car dashboard, it will automatically be charged and ready for use at a moment’s notice, making it a “must have” in every emergency kit.
“We’ve seen first hand through our work in Haiti and other parts of the world what an impact having light makes when you’re left for days or weeks with no source of electricity,” said Andrea Sreshta, co-founder of LuminAID. “It’s our mission to bring light to any dark and scary situation, whether your car breaks down, a storm blows through or an earthquake takes down power lines.”
Through its partnership with NGOs and relief organizations, LuminAID has assisted thousands of women and children by providing access to light in dangerous situations.
An individual LuminAID light retails for $19.95 and is sold at specialty retail store or via http://www.luminaid.com or http://www.amazon.com. Visit the LuminAID web site for more information about this life-saving emergency tool.
About the Founders
Anna Stork and Andrea Sreshta met while studying architecture and design in graduate school. They shared an interest in solar lighting technology and a common belief that design and design thinking can be used to solve problems at a global scale, including improved access to basic resources such as lighting and power. From there, LuminAID was born.