What is Help Flash?

Help Flash is an emergency light that helps save lives on the road, which will soon replace reflective triangles.

It’s a roadside-emergency signalling beacon that has not only been approved but recommended by traffic authorities. It makes any stopped vehicle visible in a matter of seconds, from long distances and in any direction.

Lack of safety and the poor efficiency and suitability for people with reduced mobility of current signalling systems are some of the problems this light device was created to address.  Help Flash was created to simply, quickly and efficiently signal roadside emergencies, regardless of the vehicle and the driver.

Help Flash features

Help Flash comes with unique features that set it apart from other signalling lights:

• Magnetic activation: Offers maximum comfort and ease of use. Thanks to its magnetic activation system, it adheres to any metallic surface and automatically begins to emit a flashing auto-yellow signal at intervals of 3 flashes. You can also activate it manually, whenever you need it.

• Visible from 1 km and 360°: It uses the latest LED technology and a patented parabolic reflector to ensure optimal light amplification so that your vehicle can be seen from all directions and in low-light conditions.

• Additional white lamp: It can also be used as a lamp. This enables you to illuminate and perform any task with both hands for five hours.

• Light, small and easy to store: Help Flash is small and handy. As such, it can be stored anywhere in the vehicle, as well as being a great option for motorcycles and bicycles.

• Autonomous and wireless: A 9V commercial alkaline battery provides 2.5 hours of autonomy in emergency mode. What’s more, it doesn’t need recharging, so it stays in good conditions for use.

• Resistant: Withstands all kinds of weather, no matter what: rain, snow, wind and even fog.

In addition to its features, it is its multiple national and international patents and trademark registrations that make the Help Flash light device so unique. Likewise, the backing of traffic authorities only reinforces the credibility of this type of product, in which Help Flash is a pioneer. What’s more, the V16 lights are set to legally replace the traditional emergency triangles, making it an even better choice.

Help Flash Smart

At present, there are two Help Flash models. One of them has all the features discussed above in this article. The other, while similar, also has a digital and more technological side.

We’re talking about the Help Flash Smart, a smart device that connects to your phone via Bluetooth though the INCIDENCE APP, and which allows you to not only signal your vehicle with a light, but share its geolocation and contact emergency services, reducing stress considerably in these types of situations.

More efficient and faster medical-service response times equates to better outcomes for injuries, while being able to contact assistance services or the insurers themselves in advance means better service and more efficient incident handling.

However, the Smart Flash isn’t available to buy by end users. Instead, it’s sold through several trusted partner insurance companies.

 

How do you use the Help Flash emergency light?

Help Flash is easy to use and operate and doesn’t require any prior knowledge. All you have to do is place it on a metallic surface of your vehicle, preferably on the roof for greater visibility. It will automatically begin emitting auto-yellow flashing light signals.

The Help Flash Smart, however, must be paired with a mobile device beforehand via Bluetooth. Once the devices are paired, when the Smart Flash is activated it will automatically launch the app on your phone and depending on the type of incident that has occurred, the appropriate service will go to the GPS location.

Both products can be activated by turning the cap in one direction. Once if you require the emergency mode, and twice if you want to use the alternate torch function.

Thanks to its ease of use, which means you don’t have to get out of the vehicle, and the size of the Help Flash, this device is especially recommended for persons with reduced mobility, pregnant women or those travelling with children, and motorcyclists.

Why an alkaline battery and not a rechargeable battery?

There are several reasons Help Flash comes with a 9V alkaline battery and not a rechargeable battery, but the main one is to ensure the equipment is as safe as possible for the user to operate:

• Rechargeable batteries require routine maintenance as they slowly self-discharge, so the user has to worry about knowing the type of battery, and based on this, recharge it either every few days or weeks. This means users have to take on more responsibility and effort, for an emergency device that won’t be used very often.

• The average lifespan of rechargeable batteries, in the case of Lithium-ion batteries, is about 3 years when stored at 40% of its charge. Storing these batteries above 40% charge is inadvisable, which wouldn’t work for a device like Help Flash, which must always be ready to work at the highest possible capacity.

• Rechargeable batteries in general have a high sales price, are difficult to come across and are not always easy to replace, as in the case of Lithium-ion batteries, which can only be handled by a specialised technical service. This means any devices with rechargeable batteries soon become unusable. Alkaline batteries, on the other hand, can be found in any local shop, and can be changed by users in seconds.

• Rechargeable batteries are more sensitive to temperature than alkaline batteries. Lithium-ion batteries, for instance, shouldn’t be stored or recharged above 60°C, not only because this reduces their lifespan, but also because there is a risk of explosion during the charging process.