After last month’s catastrophic Haitian earthquake, I blogged about basic ways you can prepare for the big one or not-so-big one at home. A crucial component of earthquake preparedness is having a complete earthquake/emergency kit or two and these kits, of course, should include a flashlight (with extra batteries).

 

Keeping a few flashlights around the house is a good idea even for non-emergency situations. You never know when you’ll need one … brief power outages, home improvement tasks like checking for water leaks and mold, trips to dark corners of an attic or basement, backyard poop-scooping in the evening, slumber parties, shadow puppet shows, and the list goes on.

 

In the event that you’re on the market for a new one, below are six unique LED flashlights with various eco-attributes … some are battery-free models powered by the sun or by your hand, one is made from beechwood instead of plastic, and one, well, it serves an interesting second purpose in addition to handheld illumination. Check ‘em out. And while you're at it, take a gander at these five eco-friendly night lights.