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Disaster prep checklist: Be ready for hurricanes and emergencies with a go-bag ready kit
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We’re now in the thick of hurricane season. When a hurricane or other natural disaster strikes, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security advises you to have a go-bag (also known as a ready-kit) of essentials on hand to take with you in case you need to leave home in a rush. Don’t wait until there’s a major weather event — now’s the time to get prepared with a go-bag for you and your family.
So what should you have in your go-bag? And should these essentials literally be stored in a bag? Here’s what you need to know.
Disaster preparedness checklist
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says you should place your essentials in airtight plastic bags, and then put them in one or two easy-to-carry containers, such as plastic bins or a duffel bag. When it comes to what to pack, there’s an A and B list.
Here’s what’s most important:
Then, there are additional emergency supplies you may want to have on hand as well. You can see the full list here.
Below are some items from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s list you can add to your cart now.
Take this to go during hurricanes and more natural disasters
Shop these go-bag and ready-kit essentials from Amazon.
ReadyWise emergency freeze-dried food supply
Amazon
This 72-hour freeze-dried emergency food kit is easy to throw in your bag. It offers 32 servings of food and boasts a 25-year shelf-life.
Find three entree options (cheesy macaroni, teriyaki rice and tortilla soup), one breakfast option (brown sugar and maple multi-grain) and one drink option (whey milk alternative). You can add hot or cold water.
“I’ve bought many ReadyWise meals,” an Amazon reviewer says. “They’re among the best options of their kind on the market. Tastes good. Easy to make. Reasonably priced.”
Why we like this food kit: This kit offers a solution under $30 and you don’t need hot water to make the food.
Sony portable AM/FM radio
Walmart
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recommends packing a battery-powered radio in your go-bag.
Stay up to date on the news and weather forecasts with this portable, battery-powered option. This AM/FM radio from Sony has built-in speakers, an antenna and a headphone socket. It also has a hand strap for easy carrying.
“The Sony portable radio is absolutely the best sold on the market for sound, adjustable components and ear plugs. The battery life seems to last forever! My wife loved my radio so much, she took the Sony from me for her office at work,” an Amazon customer says.
What we like about this radio: This relatively affordable radio keeps you in the know when the power is out.
Anker portable charger
Amazon
A portable phone charger can keep your phone charged during a power outage. This one works for the iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and more. It provides more than five charges for the iPhone XS, almost five full charges for the Samsung Galaxy S10, more than four charges for the iPhone 11 and more than two and a half charges for the iPad Mini 5.
“I have found it invaluable for when I have forgotten to charge my phone as it easily fits in my pocket and is the same size as my phone,” an Amazon reviewer says. “The battery life is outstanding. It does take several hours to charge but that battery goes a long way.”
What we like about this portable charger: This portable charger works for a variety of phones and other device types.
Coleman OneSource rechargeable camping lights
Amazon
At a minimum, a flashlight is recommended, but these camping lights from Coleman are even more convenient.
These LED camping lanterns are run by rechargeable batteries and are dimmable. You can carry and hang them via a fabric lanyard. They run for eight hours on high and 90 hours on low, plus they are water-resistant.
This lantern is on sale for $33, reduced from $55.
What we like about these camping lights: These camping lights are rechargeable and can be hung up or carried.
Johnson & Johnson all-purpose compact first aid kit
Amazon
This compact first aid kit is for minor injuries. It includes 160 essentials such as cleansing wipes, gauze pads, assorted bandages, rolled gauze, antibiotic cream, itch-stopping cream, acetaminophen caplets, an instant cold pack and more.
“One aspect I appreciate about this first aid kit is its compact size, making it easy to carry in a backpack, glove compartment or travel bag,” an Amazon reviewer says. “The contents are well-organized, ensuring quick access to the required supplies. The items included are of good quality and are suitable for everyday mishaps.”
This first aid kit is on sale for $16, reduced from $23.
What we like about this first aid kit: This first aid kit is compact enough to fit in your go-bag, while still housing a whopping 160 essentials.
Amazon Basics large nylon duffel bag
Amazon
Don’t forget the go-bag itself. Pick up this affordable zippered duffel bag from Amazon. This 4.6-star-rated duffel bag comes in two colors and has an interior of over 6,000 cubic inches.
This nylon duffel bag is lightweight and has a 50-pound weight capacity. It has zippered interior pockets and an exterior pocket. It offers both handles and a strap.
What we like about this duffel bag: This duffel bag is affordable and big enough to house the essentials the U.S. Department of Homeland Security recommends.
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A U.S. District judge has halted the merger between the makers of Coach and Michael Kors handbags, saying it would reduce competition and hurt consumers.
In her ruling Thursday, U.S. District Judge Jennifer Rochon noted that Tapestry Inc. and Capri Holdings are “close competitors” and that the merger would result in “the loss of head-to-head competition” and raise prices for shoppers.
The decision followed seven days of testimony.
In after hours trading shares of Capri fell more than 50% while shares of Tapestry rose 12%.
The ruling came six months after the FTC sued to block Tapestry’s $8.5 billion acquisition of Capri, saying that the deal would eliminate direct competition between the fashion companies’ brands like Coach and Michael Kors in the so-called affordable luxury handbag arena.
The agency also said that the deal announced in August 2023 threatens to eliminate the incentive for the two companies to vie for employees and could depress employees’ wages and workplace benefits. The combined Tapestry and Capri would employ roughly 33,000 people worldwide, the agency said.
The two companies’ brands cover a wide array of items from clothing to eyewear to shoes. Tapestry has been on an acquisition binge for the past several years, and already owns Kate Spade New York, Stuart Weitzman and Coach. Capri owns the Versace, Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo brands.
Specifically, Tapestry’s Coach and Kate Spade brands and Capri’s Michael Kors brand are close rivals in the handbag market. The FTC had said that they continuously monitor each other’s handbag brands to determine pricing and performance, and they each use that information to make strategic decisions, including whether to raise or reduce handbag prices.
Tapestry said in an emailed statement to The Associated Press on Thursday that the decision granting the FTC’s request for a preliminary injunction was “disappointing” and “incorrect on the law and the facts.”
“Tapestry and Capri operate in an industry that is intensely competitive and dynamic, constantly expanding, and highly fragmented among both established players and new entrants,'” Tapestry said in a statement. “We face competitive pressures from both lower- and higher-priced products and continue to believe this transaction is pro-competitive and pro-consumer. “
The company said it intends to appeal the decision, consistent with its obligations under the merger agreement.
Capri could not be immediately reached for comment.
Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData, said in a published note that the blocking of Tapestry’s acquisition of Capri will come as a blow to both companies.
“For Tapestry, it puts an end to the goal of becoming a bigger house of brands, and it leaves its plans for future growth in tatters,” he said. He noted that in a slower market, Tapestry will now need to rely on pushing its existing brands harder, which he believes will be challenging. He noted that the group could, in time, also look to make smaller acquisitions.
The ruling leaves Capri “in poor shape and, in betting on being acquired, has neglected the hard work that needs to be done to course correct many of its weak brands,” Saunders said.
Capri will either need to find another party to buy it or it will have to embark on a major reinvention plan, he said.
Costco is recalling packages of salmon over concerns they could be contaminated with listeria.
Acme Smoked Fish Corp, the shopping club’s salmon provider, sent a notice to Costco shoppers this week informing them of the recall of Kirkland Signature Smoked Salmon, due to potential contamination with listeria monocytogenes bacteria.
The notice was sent to customers who Costco records show purchased affected fish products between October 9-13. Only packages from lot number 8512801270 are affected.
Customers who purchased the recalled salmon are instructed not to eat it and to return it to a Costco store for a full refund.
“We regret this unfortunate incident and have taken immediate corrective steps to ensure that this issue never happens again,” Acme Smoked Fish Corp. CEO Eduardo Carbajosa said.
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