Flares

Emergency flares and warning lights

Every year, motorists stranded on the road are killed due to low-visibility conditions that prevent other drivers from seeing them. If you're stuck in a snow storm with a dead battery, you want your car – and your person – to be seen by other cars and by emergency vehicles. You can achieve this by stocking flares (also known as signal flares or safety flares) in your car emergency kit and knowing how to use them when the time comes.

Emergency flares are lighting devices used for signaling or to provide warning lights to any oncoming traffic on a highway or at sea. They produce their light through pyrotechnic combustion, which means they do not require lighting. Ingredients in flares may vary, but all light up in bright colors so they can easily be seen. They are most often used by road officials and police officers to alert drivers of construction or an accident, or to signal to emergency vehicles.

If you find yourself in an emergency situation, set up flares approximately 20 feet away from your car, then in intervals until you have reached the vehicle itself. Road flares should burn for approximately 10 to 60 minutes; when buying flares, ensure you know exactly how long they will burn.

Never leave the house in bad weather without ensuring that your car emergency kit not only includes safety flares, but also jumper cables, tire chains and medical supplies. You should be able to survive at least 24 hours in your car while waiting for help after an accident.

Flares can save your life on a dark or low-visibility highway. Ensure you stock flares in your car to alert others if you have an accident, so you can keep yourself and others on the road safe from a secondary accident.

Why Are Flares an Essential for Car Emergency Kits?

  • They allow you to be seen by other motorists in low-visibility conditions.
  • They allow emergency officials to better see and find your car.

Things to Consider When Buying Flares

  • How long do you want your flare to burn?
  • What kind of flare are you looking for?

Top Flare Brands

  • Orion flares
  • Signal flares