Stumped for an idea about what gifts to buy for Christmas? Suffolk’s Emergency Management Coordinator Captain Jim Judkins has several suggestions that may not have the panache of a video game or the sparkle of fine jewelry, but for the person who has everything (and even for those who do not), they may hit the spot.

&uot;What better way to show your concern and care than to give a gift of safety?&uot; Judkins asked. &uot;You might just give a gift that could save the life of someone you love or a close friend or co-worker.&uot;

According to him, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has some of the best gifts around and while they are fairly inexpensive, they may prove to be invaluable.

&uot;Take a smoke detector with extra batteries, and you have an excellent gift for a new homeowner or for someone who just doesn’t have a device in their home,&uot; said Judkins.

&uot;Also, a household fire extinguisher for the kitchen and all bedrooms is another good gift. Choose the five-pound, A-B-C type.&uot;

He also suggests, from the FEMA &uot;shopping list,&uot; a foldable ladder for evacuation of a second story in a fire, and a heavy-duty flashlight with extra batteries and a battery-powered lamp. Of course, a first aid kit is a must in any home or office.

Judkins has seen many instances of where a battery-powered radio with extra batteries was worth its weight in… well, maybe silver.

&uot;Also, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio with a battery backup and tone-alert feature to receive weather and other emergency alerts is a great gift,&uot; he said.

&uot;And, along with having the radio that will help you prepare for a weather emergency, you can give a sturdy plastic tub filled with bottled water and non-perishable, high energy foods and canned goods. Of course, a camp stove or canned-heat stove, with extra fuel would go right along with that.&uot;

One truly unique idea; a year-long policy for flood insurance, and another, hurricane shutters or cut-to-order marine plywood and heavy nails to cover windows in the event of a storm, is sure to be a one of a kind gift.

Judkins would like for every person to have a winter car kit that includes emergency flares, shovel, windshield scraper, battery-powered radio, a flashlight, water, snacks, tow chain or rope, tire chains and fluorescent distress flag. All would make a great gift placed inside a large plastic tub to put in the trunk of a vehicle.

Another &uot;non-returnable&uot; gift might be providing a loved one with the services of a gardener to cut back combustible plants and vegetation from around a house that is vulnerable to wildfires.

And, for pet lovers, don’t forget to purchase supplies for a pet disaster kit, including food, bottled water,

leashes, toys, a plastic dish and carrying case or crate.

&uot;All the gifts FEMA suggests are excellent ways to give a gift that keeps on giving,&uot; he said. &uot;They are also gifts that could come in handy in the event we do have a weather emergency in Suffolk. I believe almost anyone would make use of any of these gifts.&uot;