This problem seems inflight management based.they are putting unsafe ideas in the flight attendents minds .I have heard capt's ask the incharge some safety related questions (he never knows hit him)also ask all the other cabin crew to come in with their torches ,check the torches and ask them some questions in the presence of the incharge if the answers are not satisfactory debrief the incharge and/or offload the crew.May sound stern but it is a good idea to get the get the chain of command right before the flight.