Power outages in winter in Upstate New York are lousy. I don’t have a fireplace! There is a twinge of uneasiness to be so reliant on the electric grid… we have a nice hefty pile of seasoned wood in the backyard should we ever really need it, and I can always gather all the kids together in the same room and make them do calisthenics to warm things up 
…but I like to be prepared. One thing I am in desperate need of is a battery-powered weather radio. I’ve procrastinated all summer long about the thing, so I’m finally checking specs and prices. Buy.com has a spectacular sale going on right now (how did they know I need a weather radio?!): the Eton FR350 Self-Powered radio looks terrific! I think I am going to get it. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of radio:
- AM/FM and 8 Shortwave bands
- Numerous power options: 3 AA batteries, or the AC adapter, or a built-in rechargeable Ni-MH that takes charge from a hand-crank or the AC adapter!!
- It has an emergency siren, a flashlight, built-in LED lights, and a built-in cell-phone charger
- Also includes kitchen sink
Well, I’m kidding about that last one. 
But I suppose it would if it could! It looks superb. The price is right ($30) with Buy.com’s amazing Free Shipping bonus. I think I may get a few- this would make a great gift for my sons!
Thu, Oct 8, 2009
winter prep