Strobe Lights: From Spook House Staple to Emergency Lighting Solution
Strobe lights are best known for the eerie effect they create when used in haunted houses and other spooky theatrical venues. Strobe lights are essential for many photographic applications as well; they are used to capture high-speed images including photos of hummingbirds in flight, sporting events, and even astronomical and weather phenomena. But perhaps the most important use of strobe lights is as warning lights atop emergency vehicles, where they draw attention and serve as striking visual warnings to traffic in the immediate area.
Strobe lights were first used as emergency lighting devices in the 1960s when they were affixed to the rooftops of police cruisers, fire trucks, and ambulances in order to provide a clearly visible warning to traffic in the area that an emergency vehicle was en route. Today, strobe lighting solutions are used not only on vehicles, but also in handheld and free-standing traffic signals to alert oncoming drivers of a situation requiring caution. Depending on the type of bulb and coloration of the strobe lights in question, the brilliant flashes of these versatile devices can be seen for up to five miles or more, making them an exceptionally high-value lighting solution for police and emergency vehicles.
Strobe lights are also used in stationary traffic installations in order to warn travelers of hazardous conditions, nearby intersections, and railway crossings. These strobe lights are sometimes powered by solar panels, making them a green choice for local police departments and highway construction crews. Additionally, strobe lights provide superior visibility both day and night, since the ultra-bright flashes attract attention and catch the eye even in the brightest sunlight. When visibility is a must, strobe lights deliver for law enforcement officials and the public in general.
Because of their brightness and relative durability, some companies manufacture personal strobe lights for campers and travelers. These strobe lights are specifically designed to be used in the event the individual becomes lost or stranded in a remote area; the bright flashes that the strobe light emits can help rescue teams and search parties to locate the lost, injured or stranded person quickly. Personal strobe lights can not only provide peace of mind, they can save lives when time is of the essence. Durable, brilliant, and reliable, strobe lights are an essential part of the emergency lighting package for police, fire fighters, search and rescue teams, and other first responders throughout the country.
