Content creator urges households and institutions to keep a solar-powered radio on hand
Content creator Elviss Strazdiņš is urging people to keep a portable radio that can be charged by solar panel or by hand in their homes, schools and institutions, to stay informed if power and communications fail. The device also includes a flashlight and a battery for charging phones.
Latvian content creator Elviss Strazdiņš has drawn attention on social media to a device he believes every household, school and institution should have on hand: a portable radio that can be charged either via a solar panel or by hand.
In a video he posted, Strazdiņš explains that such a device could prove essential in situations where electricity is lost and the usual means of communication stop working. He says many places have not properly considered what to do if power or standard communication channels disappear for an extended period.
What the device offers
The radio features an FM antenna for receiving broadcast stations and a built-in flashlight, useful if lighting is lost during an emergency. It also has an alarm mode and a lithium battery that can be used to charge other electronic devices, such as a mobile phone.
Strazdiņš stresses the importance of being able to swap out the battery: if the charged battery runs down, it can be replaced with another, pre-charged one, allowing the device to keep functioning over a longer period without access to electricity.
No specific brand endorsement
The content creator notes he is not promoting any particular manufacturer, but wants to highlight the features such a device should have — FM radio, a rechargeable battery, ideally with a hand-crank charging option. He recommends buying such a device and keeping it as a backup.
Strazdiņš points out that if radio towers continue operating even when other communication channels fail, a device like this — tuned to Latvian radio — could still provide access to information.
