Photo from http://www.aerialconcept.co.uk/.

Apparently great minds do think alike. It seems as if Katie and I both have been pondering the DTV transition; after all, tomorrow is the big day! Luckily though, when two brains start thinking preparedness, it just means you are twice as ready (which we all can agree, you can never be too prepared).

 

Tomorrow, we finally say goodbye to analog television and happily welcome the digital transition. After seeing the countless commercials, infomercials, and everything in between, I never thought this day would come. But it is finally here, and I know that all of our Red Crossers are ready (preparedness is kind of your thing). But last night’s storm reminded me of a step in the DTV transition that I just hadn’t considered yet.

 

The thunder, lightning, and torrential rain of last night’s severe weather got me thinking. As I watched out the window hoping my car wouldn’t float away in the river that was once my driveway, I began pulling out my disaster items in case I had to retreat to the basement. I grabbed a flashlight and an Augusten Burroughs book, and headed for my disaster kit, when it hit me. My little analog battery operated television that I faithfully rely on for storm updates when the power goes out, won’t be so faithful come tomorrow when digital takes over the airwaves. How could I have missed that? I’ve only been prepared for the DTV transition for like ten years (okay, so that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but I’ve been ready for so long that I have forgotten how long it actually has been). Luckily, my little TV is also a battery operated radio, so had the power gone out I still would have been able to receive crucial weather updates.

 

So when making the DTV transition tomorrow, don’t forget to check your emergency preparedness kit. If you rely on an analog battery operated TV, for your severe weather updates, you will need to replace it with a battery operated radio or digital television. Battery-powered digital televisions are relatively inexpensive and easy to find. And with a digital signal, not only will you be able to receive severe weather updates; you might actually be able to see the weatherman on the little screen. But if you are looking for something a little less expensive, you can always purchase a battery operated radio for your kit, like this $30 handheld crank radio available at the Red Cross Store.

Happy Digital-Transitioning!