The best time to stock up on emergency essentials is before you actually need them. A power outage, a disruption to supplies or an unexpected situation can unfold faster than a supermarket queue, and the people who navigate these moments calmly are rarely the ones who improvised. Here are five items worth keeping at home.
POWER, WHATEVER HAPPENS
A LiFePO4 power station is the backbone of any home emergency setup, capable of keeping a router, phone, laptop and small fan running through an extended outage, with many models accepting solar recharging for genuine off-grid autonomy. Look for anything upward of 500Wh for meaningful coverage. For life on the move, pair it with a high-capacity power bank, 20,000mAh or above, with fast-charging and laptop compatibility.
Where to Buy: Alanees Qatar (@alaneesqtr), Virgin Megastore Qatar (@virginmegastoreme), FNAC Qatar (@fnacqatar).
EMERGENCY LIGHTING
When the power goes out, your phone torch is the last thing you want to rely on. It drains your battery and was never designed for sustained use. A USB-C rechargeable tactical torch covers you on the move: directional, shock-resistant and often equipped with strobe or SOS for signalling. For indoor use, a solar LED lantern does what no torch can: it fills a room with light, sits on a surface and runs for hours.
Where to Buy: Ace Qatar, Carrefour Qatar (@carrefour_qa), IKEA Qatar (@ikeaqatar), Lulu Hypermarket Qatar (@luluhyperqa)…
WATER, FIRST AND FOREMOST
Water is never something to take for granted. A pair of large jerricans stored at home, topped up and rotated regularly, gives you a meaningful buffer if supply is disrupted. Pair them with a portable filter like a LifeStraw, which removes bacteria and contaminants from any water source, and you have a genuinely robust setup.
Where to Buy: Carrefour Qatar (@carrefour_qa), Lulu Hypermarket Qatar (@luluhyperqa), outdoor and sporting retailers…
A FIRST AID KIT THAT GOES BEYOND THE BASICS
A handful of plasters and a tube of antiseptic is not a first aid kit, it’s a starting point. A proper emergency kit should include pressure bandages, a thermal blanket, sterile gauze, antiseptic solution and a clear instruction guide. Store one at home and one in the car.
Where to Buy: Khulud Pharmacy (@kulud.pharmacy), Boots Qatar (@bootsmiddleeast), Sunlife Pharmacy (@sunlifepharmaciesqatar)…
YOUR CAR KIT, RECONSIDERED
Most people give little thought to what’s in their boot, until they’re stranded on a motorway in the middle of the night. A solid car emergency kit should include a window breaker and seatbelt cutter, jump leads or a portable jump starter, a reflective warning triangle, a thermal blanket and a small torch. Compact, inexpensive and potentially life-saving.
Where to Buy: Carrefour Qatar (@carrefour_qa), Woqod (@qatarfuelwoqod), TotalEnergies Qatar (@totalenergies_qa)…
