Lithuanians Stock Up on Survival Gear After Air Raid Sirens

Lithuanians rushed to buy survival gear after air raid sirens sounded across the country, with one e-commerce platform reporting a sixfold surge in demand for emergency items. "As news of objects detected in airspace increases and residents are urged to familiarize themselves with shelters, more and more people are thinking about products needed to disrupt normal life," said Nerijus Mikalajūnas, the company's communications manager.

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As news of objects detected in airspace increases and residents are urged to familiarize themselves with shelters, more and more people are thinking about products needed to disrupt normal life.

Sales of sleeping bags jumped 6.5 times, while flashlights, first-aid kits, waterproof bags, cases, and ponchos saw nearly a fivefold increase. Sales of walkie-talkies and smokers rose threefold, and knives and accessories increased by 50 percent. Demand for food storage containers, radios, and alarm clocks grew 5.5 times, while portable power banks, portable toilets, GPS trackers, and gas stoves with canisters saw a 2.5-fold increase.

Paulius Rinkevičius, a senior specialist at the Vilnius Fire and Rescue Board's Civil Protection Department, previously outlined the contents of an evacuation bag for the Delfi portal. He stressed that the bag doesn't need to be a standard backpack; a sturdy plastic box can suffice, though it's less portable. He also noted that evacuation bags should be brightly colored for easy identification as civilians.

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If you had to leave by car, you could easily pack it. Of course, there is a chance that you won't be able to leave by car, then a standard evacuation bag would be useful.

Crucially, Rinkevičius emphasized that every family member, including children, must have their own evacuation bag. A child's bag should contain essentials like underwear, a toothbrush, a book, toys, and water. Weight distribution is also key, with an adult's bag typically weighing around 30 kg, while a child's load depends on their age and strength. The bag should include seasonal clothing, footwear, food, water, documents, cash, photos of loved ones, items for exchange, medicine, hygiene products, and other essential items.

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The most important rule is that every family member, including children, should have an evacuation bag.