Why I Always Pack a Book Light when I Travel

As someone that travels on a regular basis I have found that I hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. There is one essential item that I always take with me that most people would never even think about packing. A book light has helped me out on numerous occasions so I have learned to make sure that it is the first item that I make sure that I have in my pocket when I travel.

Why a Book Light

I have been in hotels before when the power has gone out. After the first occurrence, I began traveling with a pocket book light. Usually, book lights are small enough to fit in a shirt pocket and can usually illuminate about ten to twelve feet. The book light that I use uses AAA batteries, so if the batteries lose power they are easily replaceable. Many use watch batteries which only specialized electronics or watch stores usually carry.

Lights Out

If the lights go out in a hotel, the only guide that you will have are the exit signs and safety lights. I was in the Monte Carlo once in Las Vegas when the power grid for our section of the hotel was being reset during the night. For some reason, the emergency generator was not pumping through to my floor. I was in pitch-black darkness. My book light potentially saved my from injury.

The Middle of the Night

If I get up in the middle of the night, I do not want to have to turn a light on when I go to the bathroom and potentially wake up my wife or daughter. My book light can be kept right next to the bed and turned on like a flashlight without waking anyone else up. Once I get into the bathroom, it can illuminate the room enough for me to see the light switch once I close the door. Plus, you will not end up tripping over your luggage on the way to the loo.

Reading

On top of the other uses for my book light, I enjoy reading in bed. I find that I often have insomnia caused by the excitement of being in a different place. By using my book light, I can read a book in the late hours without having to worry about disturbing anyone's sleep. Sometimes I do use the book light for the intended use.