subject: 5 Uses For Led Flashlights When Traveling [print this page] When taking a camping trip or spending multiple days hiking in the woods, most families don't think twice about packing LED flashlights and lanterns to provide illumination at night. When it comes to traveling abroad or staying in hotels, however, these handy tools are often forgotten or considered unnecessary.
LED flashlights can be extremely useful in any traveling situation, even when you expect to stay in a place with electricity. Many seasoned travelers refuse to leave home without at least one or two LED flashlights or headlamps tucked away in an easy-to-reach location. Some will even hang an LED headlamp from the bed post to ensure a source of light is readily available whenever it might be needed.
The following are five ways an LED headlamp or flashlight can come in handy while you're traveling.
1. Searching for bed bugs.
Bed bugs have seen a huge resurgence in the United States recently, and many experts believe they were brought back by travelers who picked them up from hotel rooms in foreign countries. Bed bugs spread extremely easily and can be a huge problem for hotels, where these nuisance pests can hide out in mattresses, bedding and other dark crevices.
To minimize your chances of bringing home these hitchhikers in your clothing or suitcase, professionals recommend searching your hotel room for signs of bed bugs before settling in. Many travelers find LED flashlights to be a useful tool for peeking into dressers, nightstands and other nooks to check for the telltale rust-colored stains that indicate the presence of bed bugs.
2. Getting around at night.
If you're sharing a hotel room or staying in a hostel, turning a light on at night to find your way to the bathroom or dig something out of your suitcase may not be an option. Instead of stumbling around an unfamiliar room in the dark, many travelers like to keep an LED headlamp or flashlight on hand for late-night bathroom runs.
An LED headlamp is also helpful if you are stricken with insomnia in a strange place and want to read in bed without disturbing your companions.
3. Finding your way in an emergency.
Hotels, resorts and other tourist destinations aren't immune to power outages, fires, earthquakes or other emergencies that may require you to evacuate a dark and unfamiliar building. This is especially true if you are traveling in countries that aren't as developed or technologically advanced as the United States, where electricity may be intermittent or cut off at night.
Having LED flashlights available in such an emergency can help you navigate a strange building and locate an exit quickly and safely. A light source can also help ward off panic and prevent injuries from tripping, bumping into people or falling down stairs.
4. Taking a walk outside.
Unless you plan on driving a rental car everywhere you go, you'll most likely end up doing some walking at night, whether you're headed to a local restaurant, checking out the nightlife or taking a romantic walk on the beach. Having one or two LED flashlights available can help you stay safe and avoid getting lost when walking through darkened areas.
5. Taking interesting pictures.
Photographers are increasingly using LED flashlights as a way to enhance their photographs, and amateurs can use the same technique for taking unique nighttime travel photos. Whereas a camera flash can wash out your subject or cause the background to appear gray, LED flashlights add warmth to the image and give you greater control over the light exposure in your picture. You can also experiment with the angles you use to light your subject, creating an interesting play between light and shadow. This technique is especially effective for taking nature photos.
When packing for a trip, a good rule of thumb is to try to be prepared for anything. LED flashlights are an extremely useful and versatile tool that won't take up too much space in your suitcase.
