If asked to come up with a plan for surviving a natural disaster, we might think of stocking up on batteries and buying cans of tuna. Aside from food and shelter, though, a necessity in a real emergency would be a way to communicate with the outside world--yet most of us never consider that on our disaster-prep shopping list. Luckily a company called Etón is focused on just that and has transformed something as functional and forgotten as the emergency AM radio into a must-have gadget.

Through a partnership with the American Red Cross, Etón has developed a range of emergency products including a hand crank flashlight with USB cell phone charger and a solar powered AM/FM/Shortwave Radio with NOAA Weatherband and siren. In a world where news about gadgets is ruled by touch pad entertainment devices and over hyped 3D TVs, Etón has captured the attention of gadget lovers everywhere with something much more functional. Their products have been featured on the Today Show as a "great gadget gifts" and covered in Rolling Stone and Popular Science magazines as well as on CNN.

What makes these items so popular though, is not a simple matter of great functionality: Though these products might become a necessity in a real emergency, they are also very stylish. Etón's products have garnered rave reviews and a truckload of design and innovation awards, including the prestigious Red Dot Award (the largest and most renowned design competition in the world).

Let's hope we never find ourselves in the midst of an emergency where we need these products, but it's nice to know that we can be ready for it just in case. For making products that help Americans prepare for any type of natural disaster and do it in style, Etón is Character Approved.

[Image: Red Dot]