Questions about road flares

[jsphlynch]

On my way home last night I stopped to help a guy who got his car stuck halfway in a ditch. Nothing too exciting, but now I need to get some new flares for my emergency kit and I've got a couple questions:

1) How frequently should traditional flares be replaced? I realized that my flares were the ones that came with the roadside emergency kit I got when I first started driving. Despite being almost 20 years old, they did their job, but was I pushing my luck with that? Or are they nice and stable and therefore I'm good to only replace them once every 20 years when I actually use them?

1b) If they do go bad, what are the possible ill effects? Will they just not light/burn well? Will they burn too well leading to some exciting effects? Is there danger of spontaneously catching on fire?

2) I keep seeing these new-fangled LED flares. Anybody have any experience with these? My biggest concern is I want them to work when I need them, and I'm worried the batteries will go bad over time and I use them so rarely it'll slip my mind to periodically check on them.

Sponsored

 

[subquark]

On my way home last night I stopped to help a guy who got his car stuck halfway in a ditch. Nothing too exciting, but now I need to get some new flares for my emergency kit and I've got a couple questions:

1) How frequently should traditional flares be replaced? I realized that my flares were the ones that came with the roadside emergency kit I got when I first started driving. Despite being almost 20 years old, they did their job, but was I pushing my luck with that? Or are they nice and stable and therefore I'm good to only replace them once every 20 years when I actually use them?

1b) If they do go bad, what are the possible ill effects? Will they just not light/burn well? Will they burn too well leading to some exciting effects? Is there danger of spontaneously catching on fire?

2) I keep seeing these new-fangled LED flares. Anybody have any experience with these? My biggest concern is I want them to work when I need them, and I'm worried the batteries will go bad over time and I use them so rarely it'll slip my mind to periodically check on them.

I'm no expert but have a little experience from my time as a Texas firefighter. When stored well (dry, moderate temperatures) they don't really expire. Although, most manufacturers stamp an expiration date of 3 and a half years when manufactured.

As far as I know, they won't degrade and become more dangerous or get harder to light.

I've also used some that were 20+ years old and pretty sorry looking from years of rattling around in a truck tool box. And I think we had some surplus flares in the fire department from the late 1960s that still worked!

Like you, I'm intrigued by the LED versions but there's no way I'd ever remember to keep them charged.

I have a set in Soupie and will likely change them out after 5 to 10 years. Our transfer station will take them for disposal and most will (if not, fire departments will typically also take them on certain days of the year).

 

[AzScorpion]

I found this article which says they really don't have an expiration date. They do list signs to watch out for too.

https://preparednessadvice.com/how-long-do-road-flares-last/

Like we said, while road flares aren’t required to have an expiration date, this doesn’t mean that they can’t go bad. Common signs of damage are rusting or water damage, which may prevent these tools from igniting or significantly reduce the time they stay lit for. Tears, holes, and other damage to the flare’s exterior are additional signs of damage to look for. It’s good practice to check the condition of your road flares every other oil change or when you have your vehicle’s tires rotated. Store flares in a dry, secure area of your vehicle to minimize the risk of accidental damage.

 

[Fordup]

I Cary both flares and folding safety triangles. They are required in many areas if towing a trailer and nice to have if you find someone stuck on the shoulder.

 

[subquark]

FTW - Dietz Highway Road Flares

 

[subquark]

I Cary both flares and folding safety triangles. They are required in many areas if towing a trailer and nice to have if you find someone stuck on the shoulder.

Second that on the triangles! I have a 3 pack along with a 6 pack of flares ...

 

[Grumpaw]

I bought 12 pack of these...6 for wifes car and 6 for the ranger.
LED's and uses AAA batteries. Has a bunch of different flash modes, and are VERY bright.
Place them out in road and they can't help but be noticed...tried them at nioght in front of our home and you can see them flash from a block away. They will get attention in daylight also.

 

[jsphlynch]

I Cary both flares and folding safety triangles. They are required in many areas if towing a trailer and nice to have if you find someone stuck on the shoulder.

Second that on the triangles! I have a 3 pack along with a 6 pack of flares ...

Sounds like a plan!

 

[LaBalbe]

I bought 12 pack of these...6 for wifes car and 6 for the ranger.
LED's and uses AAA batteries. Has a bunch of different flash modes, and are VERY bright.
Place them out in road and they can't help but be noticed...tried them at nioght in front of our home and you can see them flash from a block away. They will get attention in daylight also.

Do you have a link to those?

 

[Grumpaw]

Do you have a link to those?

Amazon....Markstor 12 Pack LED Emergency Roadside Lights.
$58.00
They also carry 6 packs. Bought 12 so wife has some and I have 6 for the Ranger and the travel trailer when we're towing.
These use AAA batteries, but they also make lights with rechargeable batteries.

 

[jsphlynch]

Amazon....Markstor 12 Pack LED Emergency Roadside Lights.
$58.00
They also carry 6 packs. Bought 12 so wife has some and I have 6 for the Ranger and the travel trailer when we're towing.

It's amusing to read the reviews. The most common complaint is that these battery-operated devices...require batteries.

 

[Bob902]

I bought 12 pack of these...6 for wifes car and 6 for the ranger.
LED's and uses AAA batteries. Has a bunch of different flash modes, and are VERY bright.
Place them out in road and they can't help but be noticed...tried them at nioght in front of our home and you can see them flash from a block away. They will get attention in daylight also.

This is the way to go. Road flares are only good for burning small holes in your uniform pants (ask any old leo) and starting brush fires on your property.

 

[erty176]

Road flares don’t really go bad, but they do get moisture damage fairly easily which can make them hard to light. For example we had some stored in our outside shed, basically had to get a lighter to light the entire tip on fire. Same ones stored in a closet inside went first strike.

 

[Fordup]

It's amusing to read the reviews. The most common complaint is that these battery-operated devices...require batteries.

I can see why. Not all people buy good batteries and they can leak and die while sitting becoming useless when needed.

 

[Grumpaw]

It's amusing to read the reviews. The most common complaint is that these battery-operated devices...require batteries.

Yeah, but their LED's and will go for hours on AAA.
Bedside's, changing them out once every year is no big deal...stuff like this, I trust new batteries more than whatever unknown brand or rechargeable batteries they use.

Sponsored