Flashlight and Road Flares

Being prepared in the event of a roadside emergency is critical; being involved in a car accident certainly constitutes an emergency. This may be especially true in the event that the accident occurs on a secluded area of the road, at night, or/and is a single-vehicle collision that leaves you stranded. When any of these accident types occur, having a flashlight and road flares on hand can be extremely helpful, and maybe even lifesaving in some cases. As such, a flashlight and road flares should always be part of your roadside emergency and accident preparedness kit and kept within the trunk of your car. This is only one of the various items to keep in your trunk in case of an auto accident.

What’s the Point of Road Flares?

Road flares can be useful for a number of different reasons. You can use your road flares to:

• Signal for help;
• Provide light if you are trying to move, treat an injury, or see in the dark; and
• Block off a section of the road where a car accident occurred to indicate that cars should go around.

In the event of a true emergency where you are stranded or in need of fire for heat or cooking, a road flare can also be used to light a fire/provide smoke.

Practice Lighting Before Using

While road flares are very simple, it’s a wise idea to practice lighting one before you actually need to use one. This way, you’ll know exactly what to do when the time comes. To light a road flare, remove the cap from the flare, hold the flare as far away from your body as possible, light the flare in a manner similar to how you would light a match, and then carry the flare downward and pointed away from yourself. Remember that flares involve fire, so they should never be lit within a vehicle or near any spilled gasoline after a car accident.

Storing Your Flares and Your Flashlight within Your Vehicle

In order to store your flares and your flashlight within your vehicle, it is best to keep them both in a sealable, waterproof bag (water damage can impede function). Both products should be kept away from flame and heat. You should be sure to refrain from leaving the flares in a parked vehicle outside for very long. If you do not park within a garage, consider removing your roadside emergency bag for long periods of time that your car will be parked, as storage at high temperatures for long periods of time can damage flares, rendering them unusable. If flares are left in the heat for too long, remove and replace.

For your flashlight, it is recommended that you keep an extra set of batteries on hand. The last thing you want to have to worry about is going to use your flashlight and realizing the batteries are dead when you need it most. Having an extra flashlight is always a smart idea, too.