How to Choose Emergency Flashlights

By anniewrites, eHow Member

Emergency Flashlights

It's hard to underestimate the importance of emergency flashlights. Have you ever had the power go out during a storm of one kind or another and not been able to find batteries for your flashlight? You bump around in the dark, trying to remember if you have batteries and where they are. Finally, you give up or light candles instead, which can pose a greater fire risk in inclement conditions. This article can help you to figure out what kind of emergency flashlights to purchase for your family so that you are not stuck in the dark during your next power outage.

Instructions
Difficulty: Easy

Step 1: Investigate emergency light sticks. Many emergency survival kits come with light sticks that glow for twelve hours at a time. You can also purchase these light sticks seperately. They are a budget option at only $1-2 a pop. You could purchase several to keep in different locations, such as beside your bed, in your trunk, at your desk, or in your kitchen. You will never have to worry about not having batteries again and you will not break the bank with this option.

Step 2: Think about self generating emergency flashlights. These flashlights are neat in that the only thing you need to do to power them is to shake them before turning them on. They are mid-range emergency flashlights at around $15 each. You will save money on batteries over the life of the flashlight and you won't be stumbling around in the dark and stubbing your toe trying to remember where you stashed them.

Step 3: Look into combination emergency flashlights. Combination flashlights use battery power, solar power, and crank power to opperate. They often come with AM/FM radios so that you can stay in touch with weather reports in the event of a power outage. These units are more expensive at around $20-25 each but you have multiple options for powering them and the added bonus of being able to stay in touch with the latest in weather reports.

Step 4: With these three options in emergency flashlights you will never have to be in the dark during an outage again!