A flashlight in every room?
By Denise
@petatonicsca (7070)
Japan
August 8, 2019 11:01pm CST
We are sometimes advised to prepare for power outages, such as after an earthquake or storm, by having a flashlight available close to hand in each room. Well, I used to do that. Unfortunately, when the lights go out I forget where I put it or it's in some drawer covered with stuff. By the time I find it the lights are on again.
So I fooled them. I now have one of those battery-operated smack-it-and-it-turns-on lights that you can hang flat on a wall next to the light switch! I got mine at the hundred-yen store (equivalent of dollar store) so they were cheap. They are LED so they last for a long time on one set of batteries (also sold at the hundred yen store) and are hanging on a hook you can stick right in the wall (five for a hundred yen at the hundred yen store.)
I actually use the ones in my bathroom and next to my bed all the time. I use the one next to my bed whenever I wake up at night (not just if there's an earthquake).
My lights usually don't go off for natural reasons; they go off when my old house can't handle turning on the air conditioner, the rice cooker and the washing machine at the same time. 
So do you have flashlights prepared for outages, and if so where do you keep them?
So do you have flashlights prepared for outages, and if so where do you keep them?9 people like this
10 responses
@Torunn (8606)
• Norway
9 Aug 19
I have candles somewhere and matches, since I don't know where my flashlight is I'd have to use my phone to find them. I have a bike light I could use. Not a big problem the next weeks, if the power disappears after dark I can just as well go to bed :-) but I should find my flashlight and make sure where the candles are for the winter.
2 people like this
@Torunn (8606)
• Norway
9 Aug 19
@petatonicsca No, for earthquakes you'd at least need storm lanterns.
No earthquakes here and the local volcano was active 50 million years ago so it's mainly storms and people cutting power lines.
@petatonicsca (7070)
• Japan
9 Aug 19
I have candles too, not good when there are earthquakes but fine for electrical storms.
1 person likes this
@yanzalong (19091)
• Indonesia
9 Aug 19
Having flashlights are recommended for an emergency.
2 people like this
@petatonicsca (7070)
• Japan
9 Aug 19
Even the hotels and bed-and-breakfast places I have stayed at in Japan have flashlights under the desk.
@petatonicsca (7070)
• Japan
9 Aug 19
What is a power bank? A large battery from solar panels?
1 person likes this
@ilocosboy (45155)
• Philippines
9 Aug 19
Yes I also have flashlights mostly in our rooms, but just like you i often forget where did i put it 
1 person likes this
@petatonicsca (7070)
• Japan
9 Aug 19
Besides hanging them on the walls, I have a very tiny one LED flashlight (also from the hundred yen store) on my keychain. I actually use that one a lot when I get home and need to see the keyhole!
1 person likes this
@almostoveryou (4954)
• Philippines
10 Aug 19
We have a flashlight in the grab bag, in the bedroom, and in my kids' room (if they remember to not misplace it.) I also bought small whistles for my daughters; they bring these to school every day.
1 person likes this
@petatonicsca (7070)
• Japan
10 Aug 19
I have a whistle on my work lanyard because I use it to call kids in from recess, and one on my keychain. Also a small screwdriver on my keychain gor glasses, but it's really there so I can fix student flutes when needed. Used it on my sunglasses last week though!
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26773)
• United States
9 Aug 19
That's a very good idea to have them handy in your rooms. My apt. home is small. I store my flashlights 2 places. One is with my batteries in my kitchen draw. I have 2 manual ones hanging on my wooden open cabinet. Rare for us to have any outages.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382357)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Aug 19
Well, we have them somewhere but I think most are in drawers with stuff stuck on top of them! lol Your lights sound a wonderful idea. We have LED lights in the caravan and they are great.
@Hannihar (130150)
• Israel
9 Aug 19
@petatonicsca
Do you mean the nightlights that you plug into the wall? I have one and used to use it. I have a flashlight handy.
@petatonicsca (7070)
• Japan
9 Aug 19
No, these are not plugged in, they're battery operated, and only used when you turn them on. Often people use them in a closet where people don't need light often and don't want electricity.
