Having just gone throught another big storm and power outage, it got me thinking...

Keep candles handy. Hard to find in the dark.
Keep your flashlight in the same place, all the time. See above
Radio's don't work without power. Crank or battery back-up or both.

TRO

PS No, the weather radio didn't sound an alert. Have to find out why...

That's one way. Another way is to buy so many flashlights there's usually one within 6 ft of your present location. Often more than one. Sometimes a lot more than one.

Heck, I have two in my pockets right now. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

(Good point, though. And yet another argument for EDC of some sort of light.)

"Keep your flashlight in the same place, all the time."

That would be, your pocket?

I carry a Dorcy AAA in my pocket (along with a photon knockoff on my keychain) and it has been quite useful. I'd highly recommend one. The beam shot in the link doesn't do it any justice. For such a small light, it puts out quite a bit.

Added a fauxton to my keyring and briefcase...darn handy

I'm generally unimpressed with Harbor Freights offerings but this little light is well worth the $4 and can be utilized in several ways.

http://www.harborfreight.com/27-led-portable-worklight-flashlight-67227.html

I've bought several and keep them in various locations. I have not done a runtime test but I know it will light a room up very well.

They take 3x AAA batteries.

Keep a flashlight near where you usually are: bedside, beside your easy chair, kitchen, bathroom.

But that also raises the point: if you can't find your way around your house in the dark, how would you get out if there was a combination of darkness and a smokey fire?

Sue

Harbor Freight gives away led flashlights with purchases and a coupon. Free.

No reason not to get several coupons and buy some hand tools that you may need, also with coupons. Do it over several visits. Good cheap tools and free flashlights.

Standard disclaimers, not affiliated, happy repeat customer.

I wear a photon around my neck at all times.

I buy fauxtons in job lots and give them away to friends and friends' kids. The kids love 'em. Make no mistake, I'm a flashaholic and I'm doing my part to create the next generation of flashaholics.

Many of the adults have come back to me with a tale of how the fauxton saved the day. This gives me an opening to discuss some EDC and preparedness topics.