“My reflector does not glow in the dark, what’s wrong?” That’s a question we often get and luckily, nothing is wrong. It’s “reflective”, not “glow-in-the-dark”, and there is a big difference!
Glow-in-the-dark products make light on their own, and have a built-in energy source. It can be a battery or a chemical reaction (like in glow sticks that you need to “pop” before they light up). Eventually they run out of power and stop emitting light. Glow-in-the-dark products often emit light in all directions and light up the nearby surrounding but have a limited range.
Reflective (or more correctly “retro-reflective”) means reflecting light back to where the light came from. If you shine a flash light on a pedestrian safety reflector (or a reflective road sign) the reflector bounces the light back to the flash light. The closer you hold the flash light to your eyes, the brighter the reflector appear. We like to put the backend of the flash light on our noses and aim the other end at the reflector to simulate a driver with the car head lights. Reflectors work with any kind of light source – flash light, car light, sun light, even candle light – as long as the reflective material is clean and NOT broken, scratched or painted over.
Glow-in-the dark products are a lot of fun for back-yard parties, night events at amusement parks or block parties – anywhere where distances are relatively short AND where are no cars. However, when you leave the amusement park and need to find your car on the endless and dark parking lot, reflectors will do more good in keeping you safe than glow-in-the dark toys. Most glow-in-the dark toys don’t have enough glow strength to make you visible at enough distance to be safe in traffic. Reflectors, on the other hand, are designed to be seen in the dark long before the driver can see you.
The funflector team
