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Emergency Prep Guide

Disaster Checklist

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Thousands of people are displaced each year due to natural disasters, including hurricanes, floods, tornados, wildfires, earthquakes, and more. Creating an effective disaster plan now instead of later can better help prepare you and your household for these events, ensuring that all necessary documents and supplies are ready when you are.

Purchasing and properly storing your supplies prior to a disaster not only saves you valuable time but also ensures you have the tools you need when you need them.

Prioritize water and food in your emergency plan. It’s important to store at least one gallon of water a day for each person and pet in your home. Buy food you and your family will eat, including comfort foods that may be needed in a time of crisis.

Below you’ll find a list of items to consider when creating an emergency supplies list:

Food
• Water
• Sports drinks
• Non-perishable items
• Peanut butter
• Protein bars
• Canned tuna, chicken, or turkey
• Canned fruits and vegetables
• Trail mix
• Canned beans
• Dry beans
• Dry cereal

Supplies
• Manual can opener
• Cyalume SnapLights
• Flashlight
• Batteries
• Matches
• Battery or solar-powered charger for cell phones
• Whistle
• Radio, either battery powered or hand crank
• Pet food
• Change of clothing
• Waterproof containers
• Local map

Household Items
• Cash or checks
• Moist towelettes
• Blankets
• Personal hygiene products

Important documents
• Identification records
• Insurance policies
• Bank records

Medical
• First Aid Kit
• Prescription medication
• Eyeglasses and eyeglasses case
• Contacts and contact lense solution

Day-Of Items for Children
• Infant diapers
• Infant formula
• A favorite toy/game
• A favorite blanket
• Crayons, paper, or favorite book

Emergency Lighting, Emergency Prep Guide

Flashlights vs Light Sticks

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Comparing the Cost, Value & Performance of Your Emergency Light Options

It’s hard to operate in the dark – literally and figuratively. This is compounded by the fact that it’s near impossible to predict emergency situations. For many, emergency preparedness means stocking up on flashlights and batteries in case the lights go out. This approach leaves a lot to be desired.

What if we told you there was a better way?

We investigated the cost, value and performance of flashlights and light sticks and came up with the following comparison. You might be surprised with the results…

 

flashlight vs light stick infographic

 

While we won’t go as far as saying you should never buy another flashlight, we will go as far as saying that more people will have access to reliable light if you augment your emergency light planning with light sticks – this is undeniable. And when bright light is the difference between success and failure, there’s nothing more convenient, reliable or cost-effective than a light stick.

To get to know our light stick options and find out why they’re the most trusted in the world, visit our shop.

Cyalume, is a pioneer and world leader in chemical lighting solutions for tactical and safety applications. In fact, we invented the technology. Trusted by the US Military and government agencies for over 40 years, you can rest assured knowing that our products will perform when they are needed most – without question. All Cyalume products are expertly engineered and crafted in the USA to strict quality standards.

To download a full size PDF of this infographic, click here.

News and Events

Meet Cyalume at IAEM 2016

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Visit Booth 325 to See Why Cyalume is The Most Reliable Name in Emergency Light

savannah georgia
We’re excited to attend the 64th Annual IAEM Conference and EMEX in Savannah, Georgia, October 14-19. Our team will be located in the exhibit hall at booth 325, demonstrating the incredible potential our emergency light solutions can bring to your work. Plus, we’ll have product samples and special giveaways you won’t want to miss.

If you aren’t familiar with Cyalume, we have been around since the dawn of chemical light, having pioneered the technology in conjunction with the government in the 1960’s. Since then, our active innovation agenda has lead us to develop breakthrough technologies that make people around the world safer every day. From wall mounted egress lighting for facilities and transportation systems to tactical lights for first responders and law enforcement, our products are unmatched in terms of performance and reliability. And on the exhibitor floor, you can see for yourself.

To learn more about how individuals in your industry use Cyalume, visit the appropriate page:

Emergency Preparedness

Law Enforcement & First Responders

Facility Management

Mass Transit & Fleets

Or, click here to contact our team today.

Blog Posts, FAQs

How Do Glow Sticks Work?

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Exploring The Science Behind Chemical Light

A guide to understanding the chemistry of light sticks and why glow sticks glow 

At our research and development facility in Massachusetts, one of the most common questions our team fields is, “How exactly do your light sticks work?” While the specifics are confidential, our chemists broke down the process to share with you.

What makes glow sticks work is the theory of chemiluminescence. Chemiluminescence is a three-part process that follows these basic steps:

Step One: Create the Key Intermediate (KI).

During this step Oxalate Ester mixes with Hydrogen Peroxide to create something call the KI or Key Intermediate.

Step Two: Critical Excitation.

In this second step, Critical Excitation, the chemical energy of the KI is converted to electronic excitation energy in a separate fluorescent chemical molecule to create the Flourescer. This step determines the color of the glow since different flourescers produce different colors of light.

Step Three: Conventional Flourescent Emission aka the glow you see.

You may have noticed that light stick brightness change depending on temperature. So, now you’re wondering if the environment affects the performance of chemical lights.

Yes, a number of factors can affect the performance of chemical light including ambient temperature. This is because the rate of the reaction that produces chemical light increases or decreases with temperature – hotter = faster reaction and brighter appearance, colder = slower reaction and less bright appearance.

A simple way to see this science in action is to take a light stick on its last legs and toss it in the freezer. It should still have some glow remaining well after it should have (or would have) faded out.

Blog Posts, FAQs

Putting a Glow Stick in Water…

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And what’s the effect?

Glow Stick Under Water
Glow Sticks in the Water… What’s the effect

Are there any benefits to dropping light sticks in water?

Light sticks are a versatile, battery free source of light. Given their many uses and applications (and the prevalence of safety and decorating ideas around the internet) many people have asked if dropping a light stick into a container of water amplifies its effects.

While submersing a light stick in a container of water – like a milk jug, glass bottle or fish bowl – will create a cool, decorative effect, it does not amplify the light. The temperature of the water can, however, produce an effect.

For instance, a water temperature above the standard 72 degrees at which we test our light sticks could potentially increase the rate of the chemical reaction that creates the light, making the stick appear brighter for a shorter period of time. Colder water will have the opposite effect – the reaction slows, making the stick appear less bright but for a longer period of time.

Anyone who has every gone diving with a light stick is familiar with this occurrence. As they dive deeper into cooler waters, the light stick will appear to dim – a spooky effect in such a mysterious environment. Then, as the diver returns to surface, the same light stick will begin to glow brighter again.

A few ideas for combining glow sticks and water:

  • Fill mason jars with water and drop in an activated light stick. Use these lanterns to mark paths and campsites.
  • If you have a pond, blow up latex gloves and drop in an activated light stick. Toss these in a pond and scare the neighborhood kids who see floating hands.
  • Glow baths. Kids love the experience of bathing in the dark, illuminated by glow sticks, and parents can rest easy knowing Cyalume products are 100% non-toxic. This works on a larger scale in pools, too.
Blog Posts, FAQs

Who Invented Glow Sticks?

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And Why?

who-invented-glow-sticks

The U.S. Government funded research in the chemical generation of light from 1963 through 1984. Those initial scientists, working out of Naval Air Weapons Center China Lake, were trying to recreate the bioluminescent qualities of fireflies when they discovered chemiluminescence – the chemistry that powers light sticks today.

Fifteen separate research contracts were awarded to American Cyanamid Company over this time period for the specific purpose of developing practical lighting systems that would not generate heat or require electricity to operate.

Cyalume Technologies is American Cyanamid’s spun-off chemical light department. So, when we say we’ve been around since the dawn of chemical light – we mean it!

“That’s pretty cool. What else have you invented?”

Glad you asked! Since the American Cyanamid days, our research and development team, based out of Massachusetts, has invented all sorts of things – new molecules, scientific processes, form factors, chemical light product designs and tactical and safety applications for chemical light. Some of these are available to consumers today, and others are available only to the US military and approved organizations.

We are extremely proud of our involvement in the creation of chemical light in the 1960’s and especially honored to still be the sole supplier of chemical light to the US Armed Forces all these years later. We believe it’s a true testament to our commitment to quality and innovation.

Learn more about Cyalume.

Blog Posts, FAQs

How Long Do Glow Sticks Last?

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Standard Light Stick Durations and the Chemistry Behind Intensity

how long do glow sticks last

Standard durations for Cyalume light sticks range from 5 minutes (high-intensity) to 12 hours, including a variety of durations in between. Each of these durations is tested to perform at 72 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s important to note the temperature because this can have an impact on the stick performance.

For instance, an ambient temperature above 72 degrees could potentially increase the rate of the chemical reaction that creates the light, making the stick appear brighter for a shorter period of time. Colder temperatures have the opposite effect – the reaction slows, making the stick appear less bright but for a longer period of time. If you want to increase the lifespan of an activated glow stick – try throwing it in the freezer!

How are the different standard variations (5 minute, 30 minute, 8 hour, 12 hour, etc.) achieved?

To create a desired intensity and duration, quantities and concentrations of certain ingredients can be altered. For example, the Cyalume 5 Minute High-Intensity ChemLight has very high concentration of active ingredients, creating an incredible intensity and the brightest light stick made today.

Given the higher concentration of active ingredients, the molecules that emit light are more active. Thanks to this hyperactivity, the light stick won’t last nearly as long as a 12 hour one, but it will be extremely bright for 5 minutes before slowly fading out.

How long do Cyalume’s competitors last?

It’s common practice in the industry to not list a duration on light stick packaging. This is because the companies really aren’t sure – there is no quality standard or testing process to ensure performance. Since Cyalume is standard issue equipment for the US Armed Forces, we take these things very seriously.

Stringent quality control, proprietary formulations and decade of experience (dating back to the creation of chemical light technology) result in Cyalume product performing at the highest levels every time.

Ever wondered who invented glow sticks & chemical lights? We answered that question, too. Learn here.

Blog Posts

Your Hurricane Prep Checklist Is Incomplete Without…

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Stormy sky

The One Item You’re Probably Overlooking but Can’t Afford to Miss

Benjamin Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” When it comes to natural disasters, like hurricanes and tropical storms, truer words do not exist.

Due to the unpredictable nature of catastrophic weather events, preparation for response and recovery should be done well in advance. On top of peace of mind, you gain the advantage of knowing you already have the supplies others are rushing to find when a storm is within striking distance.

Are you prepared for the sudden onset of a hurricane and the unpredictable aftermath that follows? You have a designated command center, a communications plan and contingencies mapped out. But what happens if you can’t see?

The Importance of Reliable, Maintenance-Free Emergency Light

Hurricane People take light for granted. The prevalence of well-lit spaces in both public and private settings lulls many into a sense of contentment, forgetting just how dark complete darkness can be. When stargazing, total darkness is sought-after, but in an emergency setting or three days after a hurricane when power still hasn’t been restored? Total darkness can amplify the difficulties of the situation.

According to the International Energy Agency, 20% of all electricity is used for lighting. In order to keep the lights on and necessities powered, generators are often relied on. Generators require quite a bit of fuel and maintenance to provide continuous power for long stretches of time. Plus, the amount of power generated by these machines is ultimately limited by the amount of fuel available – a finite resource during times of crisis. How can you increase their resource lifespan?

Enter chemical light technology. By relying on chemical light sticks for emergency lighting, first responders, emergency planners and citizens alike can benefit from well-lit spaces during even the darkest night while extending the duration of generators. Emergency light that can store for years and work exactly when and how you need it is worth its weight in gold when the power goes out, and that is exactly what chemical light is.

Now, let’s compare light sticks to flashlights. Flashlights will almost, without fail, “walk away” from their planned location, defeating their purpose when the power goes out. While light sticks are maintenance-free and ready exactly when you need them, flashlights must be maintained with fresh batteries, and there’s always a chance those batteries will be drained when their needed most. This is both inefficient and unsafe.

Benefits of Chemical Lights in Emergency Response and Recovery

Personal-Safety_12in.jpgPeople need light to live comfortably in an environment absent of it. Reasons why chemical light should be one of the first items on an emergency preparedness checklist include:

  • Cost Efficient – do the math. A decent flashlight costs $15-20 upfront, but there are additional costs, too. It takes time and additional money to maintain and test the batteries of each flashlight, which quickly adds up. Plus, some light sticks provide as much as 12 hours of light – more than most fully charged flashlights can boast.
  • Reliability – the best chemical light solutions are maintenance-free, with a guaranteed shelf life of multiple years. Instead of hoping that batteries will work when the time comes or power will return before you run out of generator fuel, rest assured knowing that the chemical lights in your emergency kit will work exactly as they are guaranteed to work whenever they are needed.
  • Safety – leaders in chemical light develop and quality assure products to meet strict standards. The best solutions are nonflammable, waterproof and non-toxic. In emergency situations where stakes are high, these characteristics are crucial and make chemical light a safe alternative to electric and fire powered means of illumination.
  • Versatility – chemical light technology was developed nearly 50 years ago and intended for safety applications. These innovative solutions rival the spectrum of traditional light sources available. Standard light sticks, illuminated self-adhesive triage tags, flare alternatives and wall-mounted light stations full of portable light are just some of the ways chemical light has been adapted for emergency response situations.

To learn more about chemical light products for emergency preparedness, response and recovery, visit getcyalume.com/commercial/emergency-preparedness/

News and Events

Where to Eat and Drink in Fort Lauderdale: Seatrade Global Cruise 2016

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The Cyalume Crew’s Favorite Waterfront Dining in Fort Lauderdale

fort-lauderdale-oceanfront

With an average year-round temperature of 75.5°F and 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, outdoor dining along Fort Lauderdale’s waterfront is one of the city’s most popular activities for visitors. With over 4,000 restaurants to choose from in the area, we thought it would be helpful to share some of our crew’s favorite dining options – Fort Lauderdale is our Home Port, after all.

Coconuts

Situated at the birthplace of modern Spring Break, Coconuts provides a relaxed atmosphere and great views. Half priced bottles of wine on Mondays and Tuesdays. Try the Fish Tacos.

429 Seabreeze Boulevard
(954) 525-2421
Reservations accepted by phone.
Happy Hour: 7 Days a Week, 4-6PM
4 stars on Yelp

Kaluz

Modern vibe both inside and out. Contemporary cocktail menu and extensive wine list. Try the Ceviche.

3300 E. Commercial Boulevard
(954) 772-2209
Reservations accepted online and by phone.
Happy Hour: M-F, 3-6 PM
4 stars on Yelp

Steak954

Boutique steakhouse at the W Hotel featuring exotic décor, creative dishes and premium ocean views (plus the best steak in Fort Lauderdale). Try anything off the 1700 menu. Don’t miss the jellyfish tank.

W Hotel, 401 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard
(954) 414-8333
Reservations accepted via OpenTable and by phone.
4 stars on Yelp

S3

Standing for sun, surf and sand, this waterfront hotspot brings island-chic vibes to Fort Lauderdale beach. Centered on shareable items, order a few small plates for the table and enjoy a little bit of everything.

505 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard
(954) 523-7873
Reservations accepted via OpenTable and by phone.
4 stars on Yelp

Grille 66

Warm, upscale ambience with a focus on fine cuisine and superb presentation, this prime steakhouse features a wine list more than 800 vintages strong curated by a house Sommelier.

Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six, 2301 SE 17th St
(954) 728-3500
Reservations accepted online and by phone.
Happy Hour: 7 Days a Week, 5-7PM at the Bar only
4 stars on Yelp

Let Us Know What You Think

If you decide to have a meal, or even just drink (or two), at any of these restaurants, we would love to hear about it. Better yet, did you find a spot you think we should check out?  Please stop by booth FC225 at Seatrade Global Cruise, and let our team know. As an added incentive, we will be featuring multiple giveaways throughout the week and highlighting our best and brightest recent innovations for the cruise industry.

We hope we get a chance to meet you. Enjoy your time in Fort Lauderdale!