Storm season is always a stark reminder of the need to keep an emergency kit handy and accessible in every household, vehicle and work place. Getting caught in the dark during an unforeseen disaster is the worst situation no one wants to be in. A primary staple of every emergency and safety kit should be an ample supply of portable and handheld lighting. Both luminescent glow sticks and battery operated LED products are a vital piece of keeping you and your family safely visible during heavy storms, black outs, floods, earthquakes or any other disaster scenario that may arise.

Here we will cover the three core areas of portable emergency lighting. Glow Sticks, LED Light Sticks and Battery Operated Candles.

GLOW STICKS:

Easy to activate, non heat, non flame, water proof and does not require batteries; ideal for any emergency situation! Use glow sticks to light up an area and to wrap around each individual person so everyone is easily noticeable in a dark environment. Large glow sticks are also excellent as flagging sticks that can be used to garner attention to yourself from a distance or to highlight potential hazards and dangers. Glow sticks are available in a wide selection of sizes and color options, many with stands, elastic bands or lanyard attachments. As a helpful tip,  the colors of Green, Yellow and Orange are typically the brightest glow sticks on the market and are the most useful for area and individual lighting during emergencies.

LED LIGHT STICKS:

Much like a glow stick, battery operated light sticks and products are small, durable, bright, lightweight and extremely easy to use. Many households have a supply of flashlights and larger lighting apparatuses usually stored in a central location. It is also recommended to keep smaller lighted items scattered in drawers and easy to access locations throughout your home, vehicle and building. Many smaller LED light sticks use coin cell and button cell batteries so it is important to always keep extra batteries on hand for extended blackout periods.

FLAMELESS CANDLES:

One startling statistic is the drastic rise of reported household fires during storm and blackout season. Many traditional emergency kits contain actual flame candles which are great for lighting but do bring an additional safety hazard with them; open fire and flame. With the increasing popularity and advancements in LED lighting, safe flame and flameless candles have become extremely popular and affordable. It is a good idea to store battery operated candles with your emergency supplies as they are more ideal for room and area lighting without the worry of having open flames scattered through your home or business.

Long Term Preparedness:

Like any other perishable item, glow sticks and batteries have specific shelve lives and their effectiveness will deteriorate over time. If you are storing long term emergency items, it is always recommended to check the quality of your stored glow sticks and battery products every other year to ensure that they will work when you need them most!