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| By Katelyn Gendron-List, Staff Writer WEST SPRINGFIELD A local company heavily concerned with public safety has harnessed a light technology that will provide nonflammable illumination in the absence of electricity and even during roadside emergencies. Cyalume Technologies Inc., the world leader in chemiluminescent technology, according to Staasi Heropoulos, director of communications and media relations at Cyalume Technologies, Inc., has created a major campaign to promote the safety of those at home and on the road by using their snaplight technology. "We feel very passionate about safety," Heropoulos said. "Snaplights create instant, safe, reliable light with no flame, fumes or heat." According to Earl Cranor, vice president of technology at Cyalume Technologies Inc., each snaplight is a long thin tube that contains within it two liquids. There is one small vial of liquid that floats within the larger tube, and when a person breaks the vial, by snapping the larger tube, the two liquids combine, and there is a reaction that creates light. Each snaplight can last for up to two hours or longer depending on temperature, Cranor went on to say. When the snaplight is heated up it will become brighter and will not last as long. Conversely, if the snaplight is put into a freezer the snaplight will become dimmer and eventually stop glowing. "People put the snaplights in the freezer after they have begun to use them," Cranor said. "And then they take it back out when they need to use them again. Essentially they have stopped the reaction before all of the active ingredients have been consumed." Heropoulos and Cranor encourage people to use the snaplights because they are aware of the dangers of burning candles at home and the use of flares on the road. According to Barbara Miller, spokesperson for the National Candle Association, in their 2006 study, 200 people died in candle fires throughout the United States in the year 2004. "The most common cause of candle fires are people burning them out of their sight," Miller said. "People use candles when their electricity goes out and they walk around with them not realizing that something around them is combustible." Miller went on to state that during an emergency situation people should only use things for light that do not have a flame. "During 9/11 we sent a lot of devices to New York City because the rescue workers that were looking for survivors needed a safe source of light," Cranor said. "There were open natural gas lines everywhere, and there was a great probability of explosion if they used a flashlight or flame. Our products gave rescue workers a source of light where and when they needed it." Pioneer Valley AAA is also providing locations for their customers to purchase snaplights as a resource for safe light on the road. "We offer a travel store in all of our Pioneer Valley locations that sell items that will fit our members needs for road travel," Sandra Marsian, vice president of marketing and public relations said. "The snaplights are a good tool for those that want to create a roadside kit. We're comfortable selling them because the snaplights are a safe option for visibility on the road." When asked about the safety hazards of the snaplight technology, Cranor stated that a number of people who attended raves in New York City had ingested the liquid contents of the product. They had them in their mouths and had bitten down on them while they were dancing. However the emergency room doctors concluded that "this too shall pass." "The chemicals goes through your system harmlessly," Cranor said. "The liquids inside are not going to hurt you. The biggest hazard is that they have strong dyes in them for color and it will stain whatever you put it on." Cranor also stated that the products are made to high standards and will not leak or even easy to break open. According to Heropoulos, snaplights can not only be used for safe, nonflammable light but also for children who are in need of a nightlight. "My kids love them," Heropoulos said. "Kids love the snaplights for nightlights because they are very calming and soothing." Overall, the main issue for Heropoulos however is to provide safe, affordable light for those in emergency situations. He stated that too many people have died in candle fires and even left stranded on the dark roadside, making it difficult for others to find them. "Not one person would have died in a candle fire if they used snaplight technology," Heropoulos said. "It's worth making a trip to the store to buy a snaplight." |