Use a flashlight you haven’t touched in ages
Don’t be surprised if your battery-powered radio or flashlight won’t turn on when you need it most. You might think the battery is dead, but it could be a deeper issue, says Judge. “Over time, those batteries will leach acid that will get into the contacts,” he says. To make sure your devices stay fresh, he recommends having rechargeable LED flashlights on hand for emergencies, but keeping batteries out of your other lights and radios until you need them.