One the most important aspects of Lithium primary cells is their extremely low self discharge rates. This characteristic makes them the perfect choice for your emergency back up light that may not be used frequently. I use Lithium primary cells in my "emergency" household flashlights as well.

In contrast NiMH are best used directly after charging. The only real "issue" with alkaline cells is their loss of resistance and subsequent "runaway" heating when used continuously. In a blinky light, or low current circuit -this is not as issue.

Don't get me started- I keep going and going and going and going ........