Top Ten Homeland Security Related Gifts for Mother’s Day
Mom is often the one person we can count on in times of emergency. Whether it was our first skinned knee, first broken heart, or first natural disaster, mom was there with sage advice and a helping hand. Now it is our turn to help mom prepare for the next emergency with these ten gift ideas, and branch out from our 1–800-Flowers rut.
1. Flashlights
I may be biased here but my mom loves flashlights. It’s a frequent stocking stuffer for our family and you can probably find one in every drawer of her house (and now mine). But seriously, having a flashlight that you can grab from every room of your house can be awfully convenient. What I love about the flashlight in the link above is that it has a hand crank, USB charger, and a radio. So when the power goes out, you can still have light, charge your cell phone, listen to the latest news or have a dance party, whichever floats your boat.
2. Leatherman or a Swiss Army Knife
Is that superwoman I see? No! It’s mom! Having virtually any tool that she might need during an emergency in her pocket will make mom the superhero of the moment. The plus for buying a Swiss Army Knife is that they usually come in multiple colors that will allow you to choose your mom’s favorite color, making it a tool and an accessory! Superhero leotard sold separately.
With hurricane season starting in roughly a month (June 1) there is no better time to help mom be prepared! Any of these kits are a great start to ensure your mom stays safe in case of an emergency. As an added bonus, most of these kits can also be used in non-hurricane circumstances.
4. Lightweight Wood Burning Stove
The key to this great gift idea is that it is both lightweight and uses wood. That way if you must evacuate quickly, it will be easy to carry and not reliant on gas, which will allow mom to cook a great meal in any emergency.
5. Money belt
This is for the mom on the go! Not only can she use this during an emergency, but she can also use it for all her vacations. With her passport, money, credit cards, and other identification cards concealed, identity thieves will be hard pressed to become YOUR mom.
Believe it or not, people can now easily scan your credit card and driver’s license information just by walking past you. The scanners cost less than $100, and luckily the wallets that protect from such nefarious activity do as well.
7. Classes for safety, preparedness, and survival
You could also spend time with mom while learning important skills. You can take her to a candle making class or soap making class. You can also take her to a personal safety class. That way both you and mom will know how to protect yourselves.
8. Scan Family Photos into the Cloud
(curiosity of Awkward Family Photos)
Want something a little more personal? Scan mom’s favorite family photos and upload them into the cloud. If there is a flood, the photos will be protected. You can also do this for some of her more important documents. Bonus points: take pictures of all of her valuable things and upload them to cloud. That way, when she needs to report damaged or looted items for insurance purposes, it is all easily accessible with the power of the internet! (Fungus photos optional)
9. Take Mom’s Car for a Check-up
Everyone hates getting their oil checked. It is not fun to sit in the mechanic’s for hours, but it is important! Evacuations take a toll on your car, and your car needs to be ready. You can be sitting on the side of the road for hours. If you want to win kid of the year, consider following your mom to the service station, and then taking her out to lunch. That way no one has to spend hours at the mechanic’s shop.
10. Prune Mom’s Yard and make a garden
Trees are dangerous. What grows up must fall down. People often forget that high winds can take off limbs or tear up trees. When this happens, you have a tree hurtling to the ground, your car, or your head. So help your mom out by pruning her trees. Also, take some time and create a great herb or vegetable garden for mom. You can spend time with her helping to keep it up and then enjoy any delicious home cooked meals she prepares.
