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Flashlights and other portable lights are essential items to have in any home. Like first aid kits and portable water filtration, they are among the most important items to have when preparing for an emergency, such as a bad storm or an earthquake.
If you lose power due to a rolling blackout, a storm or another natural disaster, lanterns, flashlights and LED headlamps will provide crucial light. Even if you have a backup generator, you may need to rely on portable lights for some period of time. For this reason, it is a good idea to have some form of portable emergency lighting in an easy-to-find location in every room of your house.
On a more fun note, LED flashlights, headlamps and lanterns are also essential camping lights for outdoor vacations. If you’re packing for a camping trip, you will want to have plenty of lights in your kit as well as backup power to keep them working over the whole trip.
Whether you are shopping for the brightest flashlight or the best headlamp, one major consideration is how you will power your light. If you choose a rechargeable flashlight, you will want to keep a charged power bank on hand, just in case you don’t have access to working outlets for an extended period of time. A power bank can also be used to charge cell phones and other important devices.
If you will be using your device outdoors, such as on a camping trip, you might consider bringing solar panels to keep power banks—and, by extension all your handheld electronics—charged. You can also use rechargeable batteries for many portable lights. These are good to have around whether you’re in your house or enjoying the great outdoors.
When it comes to deciding on what style of light to keep in a room or take on a trip, think about how you’ll use it. A flashlight is easily directed into spaces at different angles. A headlamp keeps your hands free during use. And a lantern illuminates a wider area for group activities or tasks.