The term 'ALERTING LIGHT' can be summarized as a FLARE, which is a five-letter word. A FLARE is a type of pyrotechnic device that produces a bright light or intense heat without an explosion. It is used for signaling, illumination, or defensive countermeasures in civilian and military applications. Flares are commonly used to signal distress in maritime and aviation emergencies, and they are also used to mark targets during nighttime operations.