We are always trying to impress upon others the importance of having an emergency kit. No matter the situation — whether it's storm season or another kind of emergency, it's smart to plan for an event that may result in major power loss. Since weather-related disasters can happen at any time, being prepared ahead of time is a smart first step to getting through them.

This means equipping yourself and your home with the necessary supplies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a good resource for creating emergency kits that you can use at home or take with you, with lists of recommended items to pull together. One item that is on every list of items for preparedness kits is a flashlight.

When the lights go out, you’ll need a flashlight to help light your way. Whether you’re at work, in your car, or at home, there are plenty of uses for a Streamlight flashlight!

Need to illuminate a wide area? Consider any one of our Siege® lanterns. The Super Siege® is 1,100 lumens, rechargeable, and also has a USB power bank/charger to keep your phone, tablet, and other USB devices ready to go. The Siege® or the even smaller Siege® AA are both lightweight and portable, so you can carry them with you on your escape route, check on your property, or check on your neighbors.

Want something that will leave your hands free for other tasks? The ProTac HL® Headlamp runs on two (2) CR123A lithium batteries, which have a ten-year shelf life. The headlamp will provide a bright light with a wide flood beam to help light your way.

If you need something to see what's ahead of you, as well as your path at your feet, check out our Dualie® line of lights. Each of the lights in the Dualie series produce a forward-facing spot beam and a downward-facing flood beam, and the beams can be used independently or together. We also have different sizes of handheld flashlights, such as the Dualie® 2AA or the Dualie® 3AA, as well as the Dualie Waypoint®, which can be used as a handheld spotlight or hands-free with its integrated kickstand or D-ring (the Dualie Waypoint will also hang over a door for another hands-free option).

Don’t forget about a regular handheld flashlight either. Flashlights like the PolyTac® or the ProTac® 1L-1AA are compact and easily stored within convenient reach — whether it’s in a nightstand or a kitchen drawer. They’re durable and affordable and the ProTac 1L-1AA also provides multi-fuel flexibility, allowing you to use either a CR123A lithium or AA alkaline battery.

When putting together an emergency kit, consider all of the needs for your household and any lighting issues that may arise. You should also be sure to do a periodic check of all batteries in your kit (in a flashlight or not) to be sure they work. Having a flashlight on hand and ready to go in an emergency should be the least of your worries.