Light Up the Night with a Really Good Flashlight

What do you have on hand for an emergency?

All flashlights are not created equal. There many choices and styles. I have used finger lights in the cockpit to read maps and I have used multiple “D” cell club sized lights in my garage. In my tool box I have an LED light that runs on “AA” batteries, but it really eats batteries. I set up a routine that includes battery change out every quarter.

Consider these ideas for your home:

    For emergencies, I prefer the small tactical lights that run on 123 batteries. Designate a flashlight for the safe room.

    Have a light in each kid’s bedroom.

    Have a flashlight in each vehicle.

    Look for quality, duration and lumens (light intensity) in a flashlight.

    Consider your budget. You really get what you pay for.

    Look at products from Surefire® and Insight Technology®. They are rugged, and work every time.

    Develop a schedule for testing and battery replacement. If you choose to use rechargeable batteries, shorten the recharging interval. These lights eat batteries.

    When using a small light, do not plan on constant light. They get VERY HOT. Use the light and shut it off.

    If you encounter a bad guy, you know your home better than they do. Pulse the light and move on. The bad guy might just be blinded momentarily, giving you the edge.

    Do not be afraid of using them during preparedness drills with your family.

If you can find a rugged LED light with the on / off switch in the bottom of the handle, you are on the right track. Owning one of these lights and practicing with it are very different. These lights allow you to have one hand free to react in an emergency.

Forgo the plastic, cheap lights that use conventional bulbs. These fail when dropped, and are usually larger than you need.

Remember: You can light up the night and have the edge.