Disaster preparedness kits are nothing new in Japan, but they are often so ugly and bulky that people prefer to hide them where no one can see them.
The 7.1-magnitude earthquake in Kyushu on August 8, with warnings of a larger “superquake,” has reminded the Japanese that they must always be prepared for any disaster.
And that is why, emergency kits designed specifically for individuals and families to use in the event of a disaster have become an essential item in the lives of Japanese people.
Disaster preparedness kits are not new in Japan, but they are often so ugly and bulky that people prefer to hide them in places where no one will see them, and thus are difficult to access when a disaster strikes.
To solve this problem, Sugita Ace, a well-known company in Japan, has launched Sonaete, a series of stylish emergency kits designed to look great when displayed at home.
The kit includes three items: a 28-liter backpack, a large box, a paper box, and a slim crossbody bag, all in a striking white exterior with a black-and-white checkered pattern.
The 28,380 yen (about 4.7 million VND) waterproof Emergency Bag is packed with everything you need in case of a disaster, including a helmet, whistle, pocket radio, basic first aid supplies, toiletries, aluminum thermal blanket, spare batteries, extension cords, Izameshi bottled water, food, and other essentials.
For smaller spaces, the compact, boxed emergency kit, priced at 10,780 yen (about 75 USD), doesn’t contain bulky items like a helmet but can easily fit into a filing cabinet or shelf. It includes a foldable backpack, LED light, pocket radio, aluminum blanket, raincoat, toiletries, whistle, wet wipes, heat pads, Izameshii bottled water, and some snacks.
Smallest option - The 4,180 ($700) Emergency Bag is designed for everyday carry and has a transparent lid for smartphone use. Inside the bag is a thermal aluminum foil, hygiene kit, whistle and LED light, wet wipes and snacks.
Basically, these items are packaged in a smarter and more beautiful way by Sonaete. And thanks to that, it can help users react to disasters a few seconds faster.
The cute canary-shaped alarm +d Canary priced at 1,870 yen (over 300,000 VND) sold on the online store Koncent also makes many people excited.
With funny shapes and eye-catching colors, the sirens designed by Hayato Horie are both attractive wall decorations and easy to use.
These sirens have a magnet on the back, so they can be stuck to the refrigerator or other metal surface. And their “childish” design doesn’t take away from their power as emergency alarms. They emit a sound of up to 90 dB (twice as loud as a nearby loud vacuum cleaner), with a frequency of 4,000 Hz.
The compact Aqumo LED lights require only a little moisture to operate. After wetting the base for about 2 seconds, the light can be lit for up to 168 hours. If not used and stored in a dry environment, the light can last up to 10 years.
The lamp uses fuel cell technology to generate electricity, whereby oxygen in water triggers a chemical reaction with magnesium to create an electrical charge. And most liquids can be used, from tap water, rainwater, drinks, saliva to urine.
And the minimalist design with two colors black and white also makes the lamp a delicate decoration on the shelves of household appliances, instead of the old-fashioned flashlights that often take a lot of time to rummage through bags and tool boxes.
Helmets often take up a lot of space in emergency bags. But the Izano 2 helmet can be folded up and still meets Japanese safety standards for impact absorption and protection from flying and falling objects.
When not in use, the helmet can be folded to a thickness of only 6.3cm. When opened, simply push from the inside until the joints are in place to become a sleek helmet with a modern multi-layer design.
This hat costs 5,000 yen (about more than 800,000 VND)
PeePoo, priced at 3,220 yen (about 550,000 VND) is a disposable toiletry bag developed by Japanese lifestyle products company Seraphic in 2021.
Unlike most other emergency toiletry bags that require a container or pedestal to keep them standing, the PeePoo disposable emergency toilet is a self-standing polyethylene bag that can be installed anywhere.
This kit features a double-layered opening designed to help users seal the contents as hygienically as possible without getting their hands dirty.
Each Peepoo package will include a cardboard strip to help the bag open when in use, a packet of substance to help freeze and sterilize the waste, and a small trash bag to wrap it all up before throwing it away.
TB (according to Vietnam+)