Waterproof Dry Bag (15–30 L)
Waterproof Dry Bag (15–30 L)
Roll-top bag that keeps clothes, chargers and papers dry; floats if dropped.
See price on AliExpressPractical Emergency Preparedness Gear
Inexpensive items that keep documents dry, lights on and phones charged when something goes wrong.
Floods, fires and long power cuts have one thing in common: the first hours are easier if a few basics are already packed in one bag. This page lists six of them. None is a substitute for the instructions of your local emergency services.
Affiliate disclosure: the product buttons on this page link to AliExpress. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We do not sell these products, we do not control stock, prices, delivery or import charges, and none of them is certified life-safety equipment. Buying equipment does not guarantee protection; follow the instructions of your local emergency services.
Six practical items
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Document Pouch (fire-resistant fabric)
Document Pouch (fire-resistant fabric)
Passports, IDs, certificates and cash in one grab-and-go pouch. Not waterproof on its own: keep it inside the dry bag.
See price on AliExpressRechargeable LED Torch (2000 lm)
Rechargeable LED Torch (2000 lm)
USB-C charging, zoom beam, battery display. Keep it by the door for every power cut.
See price on AliExpressRechargeable Sensor Headlamp
Rechargeable Sensor Headlamp
Hands-free light; the motion sensor switch works with wet hands.
See price on AliExpressSlim Power Bank (20,000 mAh)
Slim Power Bank (20,000 mAh)
Keeps phones alive for alerts, banking and family calls during a long outage. Charge it from the wall first.
See price on AliExpressCompact First-Aid Kit
Compact First-Aid Kit
Plasters, bandages and gloves for the small injuries of clearing up. Add your own medication.
See price on AliExpressTen-minute checklist
- Documents and some cash in the pouch, inside the dry bag, by the door.
- Torch, headlamp and power bank charged whenever there is power.
- Drinking water stored off the floor; a week of any regular medication in the bag.
- Two ways out of your area and a family meeting point agreed.
- Local emergency numbers saved in every phone; follow official alerts, not rumours.
Official information
NEMA (Nigeria) — floods
South African Weather Service — warnings
City of Cape Town — wildfires
Read more on Fire Water Proof
What to put in a 72-hour emergency kit
Disaster readiness guide: the first 72 hours
These products help with the first hours of an emergency. They do not prevent disasters and do not replace official instructions.