Emergency Preparedness: Headlamp Review

Headlamps for emergency lighting

Recent events have caused many of us to think about emergency preparedness. Hurricane Harvey only recently exited Texas and Hurricane Irma is in Florida as I am typing this. There are almost too many wildfires in the western United States to count -forcing people to evacuate their homes. Whether we are talking about emergencies as devastating as these or emergencies as small as a flat tire on the side of a dark highway, we need to be prepared. There is a list of things that need to be included in our preparations, but today I want to talk about headlamps. I believe that headlamps are a required item when talking about safety and being prepared.

What is a Headlamp?

Headlamps are battery operated, hands-free "flashlights" that attach to your head by an elasticized headband. 

Why is a headlamp important when we all probably own flashlights or candles?  I too own an assortment of candles, flashlights, and lanterns (gas, battery, and solar operated). So why do I highly recommend purchasing an additional item for emergency lighting? 

Headlamps are important and unique for the following reasons:

• hands-free 
• flame-free
• safe
• battery operated with a long battery life
• AAA batteries are easy to keep on hand
• headlamps are small enough to have with you everywhere 

I depend on my headlamps when I am camping at The Shack. I carry one with me in the Jeep, in the event of a break-down on the side of the road. The headlamp attaches to my head and I can use both hands for whatever I need to do. Imagine changing a tire in the dark, while trying to hold a conventional flashlight. Now imagine changing a tire in the dark, while a beam of light automatically shines on whatever you are facing. 

I love candles and always have a large selection on hand. But there are times I do not want to risk an open flame.  

Lanterns are great for lighting large areas, such as rooms, but more difficult for any activity that requires light focused on a specific area or activity. My lanterns also seem to burn through fuel or batteries very quickly.

Ladies, for many of us, headlamps initially feel silly. But if you are stranded in the dark and want to use your hands, if you need an inexpensive and reliable lighting source, or if you find yourself outside in the dark, you will very quickly become accustomed to the feeling of having a light strapped to your head. 

I have had really good luck with the Energizer brand of headlamps. The elastic band is adjustable for my big head. It is also more durable than the bands on other headlamps I've purchased. The plastic pieces on my Energizer are durable. I have broken the piece that attaches the light to the headband on an off-brand of headlamp.

I have had this Energizer headlamp for two years or so. I've changed the batteries once. And I use it for every trip up to the Shack as a primary lighting source as well as for short periods of loss of electricity in my apartment. I highly recommend that we all have immediate access to a headlamp as a part of our emergency preparedness.

Related Emergency Preparedness Reviews:

Heather shares the importance of Emergency Survival Kits (aka Bug Out Bags). In the event that you should not shelter in place, it is important to have your emergency items packed and ready to go in an instant. Heather lists the contents of a good bug out bag.

Cynthia Sylvestermouse reviews an emergency power failure light that doubles as emergency lighting that turns on automatically as soon as the power turns off and a nightlight every other evening.

Barbara Radisavljevic reviews a battery operated LED light source that she uses: the MalloMe LED lantern. She liked her lantern so much that she was sorry she hadn't bought more. Read why she recommends that particular LED lantern.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Power Failure Light Review

I recently attended the CERT program training classes in our area.  Over a period of several days, our class learned a great deal about emergency response and being prepared to help in a disaster.  In our area, that would most likely be a tornado, or possibly an earthquake, but the classes also covered blizzards, floods, volcano eruptions, mud slides, and more.   That training could easily come in handy while traveling.

In addition to emergency response techniques including putting putting out a small fire, we learned a lot about being prepared for the disaster before it occurs so we could act quickly when needed.  Part of the very basic preparedness is something everyone should do whether you are CERT trained or not.  Every home should have a power failure light that automatically comes on during power outages.

Sylvania Power Failure Light

This is a very simple way to assure light in area darkness.  The LED Sylvania Power Failure Light is actually a 3 in 1 light.  When the power is on, it acts as a night light.  I placed one in each of the hallways in our home and one in our kitchen.   The nightlight is a bit too bright for us to have in a bedroom, but it would be perfect for a child's bedroom.

When the electricity goes out, the LED flashlight comes on.   It provides a flood of light so you can easily see it and the surrounding area.  The very best attribute is that you can remove it from the electrical outlet, fold under the collapsible plug, and carry it like any other flashlight.


 Left Image: Flashlight mode - Right Image: Nightlight
Westek LED Emergency Lights for Home Power Failure, RechargeableCheck Price Pros of the Sylvania Power Failure Light

• Cost approximately $15
• Power Failure Light, Nightlight, Flashlight all in one
• Built-in Rechargeable Batteries
• Nightlight Feature can be Turned Off
• Bright LED Flashlight light
• Lightweight

Cons of the Sylvania Power Failure Light

• Non-Replaceable Bulb
• Unit may last less than a year
• Flashlight battery only lasts about 3 hours

Conclusion

The Sylvania power failure light in my photos above is an older model that is no longer available. I have featured a newer version of a night light flashlight that is currently available. Because of it's brightness, I actually prefer this emergency light to some others even though it will most likely only last a year.  I would rather spend $15 a year and have a very bright flashlight than to purchase a longer lasting unit that doesn't provide as much light.  

I think a combination of power failure lights would be optimal.  This one for it bright light and a different one for longevity in case the lights are out for longer than 3 hours.

I selected the Amerelle 71134CC Slimline Power Failure Lite as our secondary back-up light.  It has the same automatic on response when the electricity goes out and can also be carried like a flashlight.  It lasts 24+ hours, but it is not as bright as the Sylvania LED Power Failure Light.

I keep wondering, why did I not know about these really awesome power failure lights before!


Similar Power Failure Lights that Are Currently Available

 LEDVANCE Sylvania 60138Check Price GE Power Failure LED Night LightCheck Price Amerelle LED Emergency LightsCheck Price GE home electrical 4-in-1 Power Failure LED Night LightCheck Price

 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON: