The Midland Radio Corporation has a new set of radios designed for personal use in an emergency situation. The E-READY Emergency Two-Way Radios are sold in a kit that provides a few of the essentials that may be needed in some kinds of emergencies. When phone lines are down, and cell towers are dead, a two-way radio can help you locate loved ones and communicate with them.

The radios have 22 channels with 38 privacy codes and have a 26 mile range under ideal, line of sight conditions. Do not expect to get a 26 mile range in a suburban setting.

Built into the radios is a weather alert capability that will notify you of any dangerous conditions. The radios are powered by rechargeable 300 mAh battery packs, but can also operate on AA batteries in a long term power outage. The packs charge via micro USB ports.

The kit also includes an inexpensive whistle, compass and flashlight. The suggested retail price for the set is $49.99. In addition to radios, Midland also makes other electronics like this WiFi camera.

My family has a wide range of emergency products including two-way radios. If you’ve never given any consideration to preparing for an emergency, I’d suggest thinking about it now. Man made disasters can happen anywhere, and natural disasters can hit all parts of the globe in one form or another. While guns are a part of disaster planning, so is having food, power and first aid gear.

The CDC has a good starter list of emergency supplies you should consider having on hand. I strongly suggest critically evaluating your situation and see what specialized products you might need. For example, if you have a long term medical condition, stocking up on your medications is a good idea. If you spend a lot of time on the water or in remote locations, a personal locator beacon is a must. For areas prone to tornadoes, some kind of shelter ought to be a priority. Of course, lights like the Streamlight Siege lantern can be helpful in a wide range of situations.

The idea is to anticipate the likely problems and build your response to them. If you are prepared for the most likely events, you are probably 75-95% of the way to being prepared for the unlikely ones as well.