The crisis kits include items such as medical and food supplies, heat-retaining blankets and a radio receiver. Sales of emergency go-bags have risen sharply in Lithuania, companies producing the kits of items essential in a crisis have said, amid fears that Russia’s war against Ukraine is spilling over into neighboring countries. Concerns increased after a drone flying from the direction of Belarus last Monday breached Lithuanian airspace, where it was downed by NATO fighter jets. Lithuania's President Gitanas Nausėda said the device was likely a Russian-made Gerbera drone that had been sent to attack Ukraine but had deviated from its course. The incident was the latest in a series in Lithuanian airspace, raising concerns among residents about how they would respond during a crisis. Manvydas Poškus, head of a company that sells emergency go-bags, said interest in preparedness has increased. “We especially feel this after high-profile events, including those of recent days—sales... increase sometimes several or even dozens of times over,” Poškus told Lithuanian public news outlet LRT.lt The company’s pre-assembled bags cost between €159 and €199, while a family package costs €249. Poškus said family-sized kits have proved the most popular. Heat-retaining blankets and radio receiver The family kit contains medical and food supplies for three people, and includes heat-retaining blankets, a map of Lithuanian roads and a radio receiver. Dovydas Petrauskas, head of another go-bags retailer, said growing interest in such kits reflects a broader awareness of the importance of being prepared for emergencies. “This is a positive trend, showing that a go-bag is increasingly less of an impulsive or emotional purchase prompted by a specific incident,” Petrauskas said. He added that simply buying a bag is not enough; people should familiarize themselves with what is inside and understand how to use it. An emergency bag should be kept somewhere easily accessible and checked at least twice a year. Expired food and other products should be replaced, electronic devices tested, and clothing chosen to match the season.
The growing interest in such kits reflects a broader awareness of the importance of being prepared for emergencies. (TVP Wilno, 72h.lt)
