# Generic Flashlight/Spotlight usage warning(s) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 23, 2021, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/generic-flashlight-spotlight-usage-warning-s/940639 "2021-04-23T20:13:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gmak1520](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ea666f/32.png) [@gmak1520](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gmak1520)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2021, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/generic-flashlight-spotlight-usage-warning-s/940639/1 "2021-04-23T20:13:50Z")
I have a flashlight that looks a lot like this: [![](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41QZT7rCBrL._SL500_AC_SS350_.jpg) ](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41QZT7rCBrL._SL500_AC_SS350_.jpg) They’re pretty generic, and produced by many manufacturers. My unit is not Craftsman, and really doesn’t have a manufacturer nam- e displayed. Well, the thing has broken. I suspect that my wife’s extended usag- e in a heated attic, has just overcome its ~two year age. So, we purchased another generic replacement from Walmart. Du- ring the process of reviewing accompanying instructions, I came across this warning: “Never place the light face down on any surface when lit, chargin- g or not in use. Never store the light face down on any surface”. Discovering a sticker on the flashlight, the warning is briefly repe- ated. “Never place the light face down on any surface when lit, ch- arging or not in use”. Looking at the light’s construction, of course I always “placed the light face down when charging or not in use”. I never knew of the- se warnings before. Just out of curiosity, can someone explain why these warnings ins- truct to never allow the light to rest on its face, when off? Thanks, ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2021, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/generic-flashlight-spotlight-usage-warning-s/940639/2 "2021-04-23T20:28:50Z")
> [@gmak1520](#): > > “Never place the light face down on any surface when lit, ch- > arging or not in use”. This would seem to imply there was some times you could place it face down, but everything seems to be covered so why not “Never place the flashlight face down.” Other than that I’ve got nothing. I can see why not to do so when lit, as it might over heat. The only thing I can think of is, it’s best not to do so as you can’t then tell if it is lit. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2021, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/generic-flashlight-spotlight-usage-warning-s/940639/3 "2021-04-23T20:41:40Z")
Ever accidently turn or leave on a flashlight? It is less noticeable that this has happened if it is placed lens-down on a solid surface. ---
**Author:** ![gmak1520](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ea666f/32.png) [@gmak1520](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gmak1520)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2021, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/generic-flashlight-spotlight-usage-warning-s/940639/4 "2021-04-23T20:44:32Z")
Perhaps, regarding the on detection if face down. But, now that I know not to face it down, I won’t. I just can’t see the difference, when stored only. The failing unit was about 2 YO, and I suspect it would still be working fine had my wife not subjected it to a probable over heat condition. So my warning violation(s) don’t seem to have been too serious. Thanks, for your comments. ---
**Author:** ![gmak1520](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ea666f/32.png) [@gmak1520](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gmak1520)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2021, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/generic-flashlight-spotlight-usage-warning-s/940639/5 "2021-04-23T20:48:54Z")
You are right. That’s a good point. I just don’t understand the “no face down” warning. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![blabbermeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9a140/32.png) [@blabbermeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blabbermeister)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2021, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/generic-flashlight-spotlight-usage-warning-s/940639/6 "2021-04-23T23:10:14Z")
If you’re using the flashlight to study an ant and you set it face down, you may kill the ant you’re studying. That would be anti-ant. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2021, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/generic-flashlight-spotlight-usage-warning-s/940639/7 "2021-04-23T23:15:57Z")
I notice that some lights come with the warning “Never place light face down when light is on or is still hot from recent use”, so I’m guessing they just wanted something shorter, clearer, and easier to implement. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2021, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/generic-flashlight-spotlight-usage-warning-s/940639/8 "2021-04-23T23:18:33Z")
I can’t get the link to work. WAG: if it’s the sort that’s very bright and you can focus the beam, you might melt something or set it on fire. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/fFB_3dnKsJs/maxresdefault.jpg "Does Wicked Lasers’ Fire-Starting Flashlight Actually Work?") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFB_3dnKsJs) ---
**Author:** ![gmak1520](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ea666f/32.png) [@gmak1520](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gmak1520)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2021, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/generic-flashlight-spotlight-usage-warning-s/940639/9 "2021-04-24T19:19:45Z")
Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![gmak1520](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ea666f/32.png) [@gmak1520](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gmak1520)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2021, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/generic-flashlight-spotlight-usage-warning-s/940639/10 "2021-04-24T19:35:11Z")
Thanks for all the responses. I’ve learned how to treat this flashlight now, after reading the instructions. But, in all the similar flashlights I’ve owned, I’d always just store the unit on its face. They always failed eventually, but never seemed prematurely. ---
**Author:** ![gmak1520](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ea666f/32.png) [@gmak1520](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gmak1520)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2021, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/generic-flashlight-spotlight-usage-warning-s/940639/11 "2021-04-24T19:36:21Z")
That is a hot flashlight !!