Emergency Lights

Lights are essential in an emergency situation. They come in a variety of different types:

Flashlights:  

There are many types of flashlights designed for different uses. From the penlight and keychain flashlight that you can carry in a pocket or purse, to the head mounted flashlight used for camping and by miners, to the tactical flashlight usually mounted on rifles of hand guns but can be handheld used by the military or hunters.

The most common source of power for the flashlight is the battery. Many different types of batteries and used in LED flashlights, such as button cells, alkaline, lithium, NiMH, NiCad, and lithium Ion. However in most emergency situations many people prefer alternate powered flashlights such as dynamo (Crank), solar powered.

·         Dynamo: Dynamo LED flashlights are ideal for emergency situations because there is no need for batteries. Batteries have been known to leak and/or drain when left in devices for long periods of time. Dynamo powered LED flashlights eliminate the need for batteries.  The dynamo LED flashlight can be operated by cranking a handle. Hand cranked dynamos are used in hand powered LED flashlights, mobile phone rechargers.  Some dynamo LED flashlights are operated by squeezing a handle instead of cranking.       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

·         Flashlights use different types of light bulbs to illuminate them; the incandescent flashlight uses an incandescent bulb which consists of a glass bulb and a tungsten filament.  Incandescent light bulbs are being replaced by other types of electric lights, such as fluorescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps, high-intensity discharge lamps, and light-emitting diodes (LED).

·         LED or Light-emitting diode. A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor light source. LED lamps can be used as indicator lamps in many devices and are increasingly used for other lighting such as LED flashlights. The early LED emitted low intensity red light but now are available in visible, ultraviolet and infrared wavelengths with very high brightness. LED light bulbs are available as replacements for screw-in bulbs, including floodlight fixtures, household lamps, and accent light applications.

·         Emergency Strobe Lights:  A strobe light is a device used to produce regular flashes of light. A strobe light typically uses a capacitor, an energy storage device much like a battery, but capable of charging and releasing energy much faster. Recently, some strobe lights have been found to use rectified mains electricity. In a capacitor based strobe light, the capacitor is charged up to 300V. Most strobe lights are factory-limited to 10-12 flashes per second.

·         LED Lanterns: A lantern is a portable lighting device or mounted light fixture used to light up broad areas. Lanterns may also be used for signaling, as a 'torch' to illuminating ones walking, or as general light sources outdoors. Lanterns utilizing LED are becoming increasingly popular due to energy conservation, improvements in LED technology, and reduced production costs. Mounted lanterns can use LED lamps. LED lamps have become brighter and more rugged. Battery-powered LED lanterns typically run longer than incandescent bulbs or fluorescent tubes of comparable brightness.

First Aid Kits and Medical Supplies

Every home should have a well-stocked first aid or medical kit. First aid kits vary in content depending on what it is intended to be used for.  But all kits should have the basic items:

A First Aid Manual:

·         Instructions on how to apply first aid.

Bandages: Your first aid kit should have an assortment of bandages and pads.

·         Adhesive Bandages: (Band-Aid) used on small cuts and scrapes, comes in different shapes and sizes. Made of fabric, plastic or latex, adhesive bandages usually have absorbent pads, which are sometimes medicated with an antiseptic solution. Adhesive bandages are one of the most common types of bandages for everyday use around the home.

·         Elastic Bandage: (also known as elastic wrap) is stretchable and used to create localized pressure. Constructed from cotton, polyester and latex-free elastic yarns. Elastic bandages are commonly used to treat muscle sprains and strains. By varying the ratio of cotton, polyester, and the elastic yarns within a bandage, manufacturers are able to offer various grades of compression and durability in their wraps.

·         Triangular Bandage: is a cloth cut into a right angle triangle can be used for a sling or folded into a square and used as a regular bandage or for specialized applications, as on the head.

·         Gauze Bandage: The gauze bandage is a simple woven strip of material which can come in any number of widths and lengths. A gauze bandage can be used for almost any bandage application. Gauze bandages can come with adhesive and absorbent pads.

·         Gauze pads:  Gauze pads is a piece of gauze fabric used to guard and cushion a wound, to absorb blood or other fluids, to apply ointments, or to rub cleansing fluids, such as rubbing alcohol or iodine, to a wound or site of incision. Gauze pads can be wet or dry.

·         Gauze Sponges: These are most often used for securing bandages to wounds, providing extra absorbency and protection from bacteria.

·         Fingertip Bandages: is a butterfly shaped bandage with an adhesive and an absorbent pad used to protect wounds on the tip of your finger.

·         A self-adhering bandage: is a type of bandage or wrap that adheres to itself, but does not adhere well to other surfaces.

·         Trauma Pads: These sterile, absorbent trauma pads helps stop the bleeding associated with deep lacerations, abrasions, burns, penetration wounds and fractures.

To complete your basic first aid kit you should include vinyl gloves, adhesive tape, tweezers, scissors, first aid cream, burn cream, alcohol pads, sting relief pads, cotton tip applicators, CPR barrier, filtration masks, instant cold packs, antiseptic towelettes, and finger splints.