Some of the things that we do as “preppers” come in so handy for every day use and that’s why I dislike the term “prepper”. All too often, it makes some think of the folks who may take things a bit too far but really, if you stop and think about it all, it just makes sense. Take this morning for example. I’ve been canning potatoes. There’s lots of grit and potato skins and boiling water on the stove. There was no way I had time to get lunch fixed for Vince . . I didn’t even have a clean spot to stir up tuna or chicken salad so I grabbed a pint jar of Cincinnati Chili, heated it up, cooked some pasta, pulled out a jar of leftover kale salad that was in the fridge and we had lunch . . ready in a snap!
Yesterday morning, on a prepping group on Facebook, someone posted about their electricity going out recently and despite having tons of preparations, they could not find a flashlight quickly. Whether you consider yourself a “prepper” or not, it’s important to have a good, working flashlight handy at all times. Now that I’m a bit older and don’t want to risk a fall, and living in a small house with too much stuff everywhere, and having a dog that’s gone deaf and will walk right in front of me and stop in broad, open daylight, it’s really important for me not to be stumbling around in the dark. Small LED flashlights are so inexpensive these days. Not only do we have them but we rotate them so that the ones we seldom use don’t sit somewhere til the batteries corrode while a few others end up with used up batteries. Even though we keep a good supply of batteries, for everyday use, we mostly use rechargeables. This solar charger is not something I’ve used but I just found it and ordered it. Seems like it would be really good to have if it works correctly.
Lights
Here’s where we keep small flashlights:
- There’s one in each car.
- Vince and I both have our favorite chairs and we keep a flashlight within reach of each chair.
- By each side of our bed.
- On the nightstands by the beds in the extra rooms. Wouldn’t want guests to end up stumbling in the dark in unfamiliar settings.
- In the kitchen in the drawer with the dish towels.
- In my purse.
My cell phone also has a flashlight app on it but I would only use that for a real emergency as it can drain the battery pretty quickly.
We keep the bigger lantern type flashlights by each door. We use those when we go out to check on the chickens or to take Speck out but we always know where they are.
There are flashlights that you can shake or wind up to make work. We have both and my opinion is: They’re good when there’s nothing else that will work but the shaking one takes a whole lot of shaking and the wind up one takes a whole lot of winding. We counted on those before solar rechargers got so popular and inexpensive.
Emergency Lighting
We also have these plug in lights that know when the power goes off and know when it’s dark and will come on automatically. They’re nice for the occasional power outage but won’t last forever if there’s a long term outage.
The light part comes out of the socket and can be used as a flashlight.
Flashlight
This particular one is in a hallway and after dark, when something moves near it, the nightlight comes on to light the way.
Night Light
It stays on for a minute or two and then goes off.
I’ve never been a big fan of oil lanterns or candles simply because in an emergency situation, a fire can be even worse than in a non-emergency situation. Communications may be down or fire departments may already be busy with other issues. Even though we keep plenty of candles, lanterns and lamp oil, those are the last sources of light I would count on using.
As far as candles, I like these Sterno candles. They’re supposed to burn up to 55 hours. In my Y2K preparations, I bought quite a few of these, never used them and still have them. Looking at the price of them now, I made a good investment about 15 years ago! 🙂
I do love solar lanterns such as this one or this one. These are not going to provide enough light for reading or knitting but they will provide enough light that you can safely get around without tripping and falling or running into things. There are others, such as this one, though a bit more expensive that can charge a cell phone also. I’m not concerned about keeping my cell phone charged during a long term widespread outage but for something local and just a few hours or a few days, it would be nice to have a working cell phone. Most of these have just a USB outlet which would work for charging many of the things that can be charged via USB.
Something as simple as the light sticks that you place in your yard, like this one, that you stick in the yard during the day and bring in at night, would be great. Again, they’re not going to provide enough light for reading but they will chase away the total darkness. Sometimes at the end of summer, places like Wal-Mart have these marked way down.
Depending on your lighting needs, there are plenty of options available.
- Think about and plan what you will need for both short and long term power outages. As part of the planning/thinking process, think about where you might be when the lights go out and how you would get to each light, as well as how long each light might last.
- Purchase what best suits your needs and pocketbook.
- Keep them where you can find them when needed.
- Rotate the stock to make sure they’re all working at all times.
It never hurts to have a plan as to what you will use when the electricity is off, whether it’s off for a few minutes or a few days. If you haven’t done so lately, please take the time to evaluate your backup lighting plan. In the least, please check your batteries . . make sure your flashlights are working and easily accessible.
Carolyn says
DH is obsessed w flashlights I don’t know why but he has them all over. I like to keep one in the sewing room too to check for that mess under my sewing table, or bobbin isuues.
Penny says
We use sensor nite lights plugged in to the electrical outlets in our bathrooms that we rely on during the night but we also have small flat squeege type key chain led flashlights on the toilet tank lid covers for emergency use because our toilets are in their own seperate little closet(?) of the bathroom. I usually purchase my dog food online (less expensive) but recently purchased her kibbles at pet store where I could select a further out expiration date so I could include with family emergency food supply. I haven’t figured out an emergency cooking method yet but am considering the dif types we used when I was Girl Scout leader. Thx for all your great suggestions to be prepared!! Penny in So CA
Toni Wood says
After seeing your list for emergency lighting, I think we’ve got it covered. Helps that we’ve lived seven days at a time without power during ice storms so know how to make do for a short time.
Diana says
We have a flashlight in every room with easy access to in case of a outage, Back yo generators for the house and garage,
And yes with age comes wisdom about not wanting to fall down.
Dora, the quilter says
Yesterday when I was in Harbor Freight, they had hand crank LED lanterns for $9.95.
Susan says
I do keep candles, and I have propane lanterns, and extra propane, as well as a propane heater – all working on bottles, though Paul had a stand that he could run the lantern from a large tank. I don’t use that, though. I also have a wind-up, and I have a rechargeable Maglite that I’ve been thinking I might need to have solar charging to keep going, so thanks for the nudge. I also have some small cans of Crisco on the list for the grocery store this week. They burn nicely, and for a long time.
liz says
I have lots of candles as well as a few of the nightlights/emergency light/flashlights that plug in. I need to get more so they are easier to get to. I have a solar & hand crank lantern and I need to get more. My emergency radio is a crank and battery model and that has a flashlight attachment.
I prefer not to have batteries, but that solar charging unit looks nice so I might go for increasing that supply. I do need to increase my light stash.
I have stashed away enough lightbulbs so, as long as there is electricty, I’m ok!
Debbie M says
We recently bought a whole bunch of those small LED flashlights. They are all over the place including in the bathroom, near the bed, near the computers (that anyway have UPSes, and even one near my sewing machine! Most important place, right? We also have LOTS of candles! Tea lights are the easiest thing because you can put them anywhere.
SarahB says
Since we have kids we have flashlights! A million of them all over the house and probably one under each bedroom pillow (for reading when they should be sleeping.) However, we have the good flashlights put up for emergencies and can put our hands on them immediately. We also have oil lanterns and candles for longer power outages. We like candles for emergency lighting almost exclusively… why? Because the thrift stores around here have them dirt cheap for the huge ones that burn for days. Put one in each room in a large vase (tall enough to cover the wick so little hands can’t easily get it) and you have ambient lighting. Also, with kids keeping the stress levels down during emergencies is key and candles are “fun” for them so it helps. Lastly, when it comes time to painting your rooms remember that a lighter color helps brighten the room with natural lighting than a darker paint. We paint with white or light colors to reflect the light and then decorate with color. Just another idea…
Beth Scott says
Judy, I haven’t seen this mentioned so I thought I would. MY Mom has an electric recliner because of her poor health and lack of mobility. The last time the power went out, guess what…She was stuck in that chair for a couple of hours. She could not call anyone to come help because the phone was out, too. So, we got her one of those power supply things that have 15-30 minutes of power left in them after power is cut off. Hopefully, this will solve that problem!
JudyL says
Never thought of that! This should also be a reminder to all of us to be aware of neighbors and any special needs they might have and to check on them when something unexpected happens. Thanks for the reminder.
patti says
“electric” toilets… well not really, but we are on a well and if we lose electricity our pump doesn’t work and we have no water. when we have severe weather forecast we fill our tub with water so that if needed we have flushing water handy. we have the same flashlights that turn themselves on when electricity goes off and they’ve been very handy. it lights up the way and there is one nearby anytime you might need a flashlight. kerosene lanterns and candles are stored away in case of lonterm outage, and windup flashlight/radios are nearby too.
Freda Henderson says
We have several Led flashlights all over the house and vehicle. We also have the lights that stay on when the power goes out. We have a Led work light that gives off lots of light and it is always charged, so is our booster pack. Then if needed we have our generator. We were without power for 8 days during an ice storm and did fine.
Alycia says
I’m like you – flashlights everywhere… of course I am afraid of the dark… so got to have that covered. In my basement ( my tornado shelter) we have the sterno lights …. and matches!!