Flashlights for your preparedness kit

I am a “worst scenario” kind of person. Over 20 years in the fire service, and I have seen some terrible accidents, fires and preventable tragedies. My friends would cringe when I came to their parties and then started giving their house a fire-safety inspection. It was just second nature to look for all the dangers. But now that I am retired, I try to think of them as thoughtful ideas on how to think ahead and be prepared.


Remember that the flashlight may be the most important item in your kit during an emergency, especially at nighttime. Make sure you store it on top of your kit. Think about what you might need first then stack items in that order.


I like flashlights, lots of different flashlights. Some people have a thing for shoes or hats …



What I like about you – Different types of flashlights

• Small penlight – With a lanyard I can wear it around my neck. I can also turn it on when working on small tasks so my hands are free.




• Small headlamp – I can wear if I am putting up a tent or cooking dinner on a camp stove. 




• Crank flashlight – A back up to the back up. I cranked my flashlight shown for 2 minutes and it stayed on for over an hour.




• Stand up flashlights – These offer good light without having to hold the light.

What I like about you – Good batteries stored correctly

Remember, flashlights in your preparedness kit may not be used for months or even years. Don’t buy cheap batteries. You want that flashlight to work when you need it the most.


Store your new batteries out of the flashlight. Otherwise they may discharge early. Or worse, they become corroded and ruin your flashlight and become a hazardous waste site in your kit!  

Keep them in the hard plastic shell they came in, but carefully cut the packing open now when you are not in a hurry. Tape the shell back up so you can open them easily without scrounging for a knife or pair of scissors in the dark because you can’t get your darn batteries in the flashlight to find the scissors!


If you buy a large amount of batteries, divide them for each flashlight. Then tape them side by side so their contact ends can’t touch. Then put them in a zip-lock bag and write the expiration date on the bag.


My advice is buy good gear and take care of it properly. Then it will take care of you when you need it the most.