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Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Power outages are becoming more and more common, especially in rural areas. Where I live, the power goes out many times per year, either temporarily or for an extended amount of time. Most rural homesteaders live far away from neighbors or town, which can make self-reliance that much more critical.
Making a lights out box is a great way to prepare in case you find yourself in the middle of the night with no power. Here’s how to make one.
Lights Out Box Overview
For those who have never heard the term “lights out box,” it essentially is a box of supplies that is easy to find in the dark. It is the first thing that you will look for in the event of a power outage. A lights out box often is stored near your emergency supplies or in a pantry that is easy to access in the dark.
It is important to note that a lights out box is not a full emergency kit. Lights out boxes are often used when the power goes out that is more of an inconvenience. Keeping a flashlight next to your bed is always a good idea and will make finding a lights out box that much easier when you need it.
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How to Make a Lights Out Box
There are a few key components to making a lights out box. Search your home and property to reuse supplies to create a lights out box of your own.
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Sturdy Container
Even though we call it a lights out box, yours doesn’t necessarily need to be a box at all. You can use any kind of sturdy container that offers protection from water, heat, and sunlight. A heavy-duty plastic tote would work as well as a recycled metal container. Using a cardboard box for your lights out box will suffice if stored well, but ideally, you’ll want a box that offers a bit more waterproof qualities than cardboard.
Easy to See in the Dark
Many of us who have experienced power outages on the homestead have been surprised at just how dark a basement or closet can be without a light source. It is important to make sure that your lights out box is easy to find in the dead of night without power. If you keep a flashlight by your bed, consider using reflective tape on the box that will catch the light of the flashlight.
Other options include painting the sides of the box with glow-in-the-dark paint. When using glow in the dark paint, though, be aware that the box should receive natural sunlight during the day in order to properly glow at night. A lights out box with glow in the dark paint stored inside a closet will not be easy to find.
What to Pack in a Lights Out Box
Many people get confused about what should go into a lights out box. Remember, this is the first thing you’ll look for in a power outage, and the contents should include those supplies and items that will help get you started in an emergency.
Light Sources
Again, while we hope you always have a small flashlight in a nightstand next to your bed, the lights out box should contain light sources for the rest of the family. This includes larger flashlights, candles, headlamps, lanterns, and glow sticks. These items are the first things that you’ll reach for when needing to illuminate the home to check on everyone.
Energy Sources
Candles and flashlights will do you no good if you don’t have a way to power those light sources. Pack lighters, matches, flint and steel, and plenty of batteries in your lights out box. Solar chargers are also a good way to use natural light but will probably not be ready for immediate use.
Kids are notorious for finding batteries to use for their latest electronic toy, so make sure to keep the batteries somewhat hidden in the bottom of the box to discourage kids from taking them.
Extra Items
While these items aren’t always needed in a lights out box, they are nice to have in the event of an emergency. Add a crank radio to your lights out box to help connect you to radio and weather alerts that could be important. Other extra items to add include a battery tester to make sure the batteries in your lights out box are charged and fully functional.
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A power inverter can also be a helpful tool to use your car’s battery as a source of energy. Pack an extension cord with the power inverter or to use with a generator as well. Adding an extra cell phone charger could also be very helpful in an emergency.
What Not to Pack in a Lights Out Box
Any liquid or fuel should not be included inside the lights out box. These liquids can spill, freeze, or leak, which could ruin everything inside. Consider storing important fuel for oil lamps or propane for lanterns next to the box instead. If you start with a waterproof lights out box, any exterior liquid or contaminants should not be able to ruin the contents.
Remember that your lights out box should be a small box that is easy to find in the darkest situation. It should only include those things that you will need to locate the rest of your emergency supplies. Refrain from packing your lights out box with extra items that will just make it harder to find the light sources within. Most homesteaders store their lights out box next to their stockpile to make it easy to locate while also safe from liquids.
Keeping a small flashlight next to your bed or in strategic places around the home will help you locate a lights out box when needed. Consider storing the box out of the reach of children so that you can guarantee that what you packed inside will be ready for you in an emergency.
Lights Out Box Checklist
- Batteries
- Battery charger
- Candles
- Emergency radio
- Extension cord
- Extra cords
- Flashlights
- Flint and Steel
- Glow Sticks
- Headlamp
- Lantern
- Lighters
- Matches
- Playing cards
- Power bank
- Power inverter
- Solar Charger
- Whistle
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All my black out supplies are in the shed, on orders of Horace and ” She who must be obeyed” in other words my parents (Sigh)
However, I will be getting other things as well.
I always carry a Tesla lighter with me as it comes in handy with a built in light. I also have several led lights that can be recharged a they have a built in solar charger.
17 kilowatt back-up generator runs everything in my house, comes on within 30 seconds of a power outage. One of the best things we’ve ever bought.
Keep all critical equipment in personal BackUPS systems, such as routers, switches, telephones, PCs, etc. Believe me, it pays off! I even have my primary TV and Cable Box on a huge UPS (hidden from sight) that gives up 2-3 hours of news, etc. when disaster strikes.
I have Coleman lanterns, spare glows for them, Coleman Stoves, lots of fuel for them all, flashlights out the kazoo with spare rechargeable batteries, solar chargers for all types of rechargeable batteries, handheld amateur radios with LiPo batteries, three battery radios two with crank and solar panels, a 200 amp hour battery bank plus several 8 amp hour SLA batteries, a covered charcoal grill, spare water for two weeks at 4gallons a day and a plethora of oil lamps with fuel for weeks. I also have battery operated H-F radios that work on 12V from my trucks and a 10 kw generator mounted in my old GMC pickup. Do I really need any more “stuff”? And, no, I live in a rural area, not a city or town. I live on a hill and can see the wretched refuse coming a long ways away along with radio comma with my not so close neighbors. We support each other very well.
Good idea! Gathered my supplies for our “lights out” box and now it is easy to find and in one place.
My friends in CA—-
Always have gas in your car.
If the power comes on for a short period of time or you can make it to a charging station use a multi port plug. Charge everything- phones, headlamps, lanterns…. Several people charged things as they drove to and from showers and library. Get a charger for your car lighter if you do not have a USB port already.
NO candles–too much chance of fire. Be very careful with fire. The paper logs- very cool- but put off lots of fly away ash. I’ve seen several houses burn down over candles and poorly managed fires.
Sterno- indoor cooking
Solar outdoor lights- they can be moved inside at night. They are short lived, but they will last a few hours of comfort and can be recharged. Attach a few of them to plastic milk gallons to push the light out.
LED flashlights. They last longer on the batteries.
Remember your water and phone will probably go out as well. Always store water. Think of a back up plan for communication.
Portable solar chargers–but now you are looking at pricy—but it is almost the holiday season.
California is a test station. The entire grid is old….
Best thing at night when the power goes out ??
Go back to bed.
Nothing you can do about it.
Zero reason to make a huge deal about what likely is nothing.
If power is still out in the morning, well then it’s light out and you can worry needlessly to your hearts content.
Also some additional things. An oil lamp and a supply of oil. Also candles and water proof lighter or a lighter of any kind is useful. Also water proof matches works. Dry wood for outside use to make a tepee fire for cooking is helpful as well. Fluorescent duct tape for the time of darkness to see ones way works well. Its like having battery power without the need for any batteries at all. Always be thinking about more ways to produce light is a good idea. Stay tuned.
We use two shelves in an upstairs linen closet for emergency supplies. First aid, different types of batteries and lamps/flash lights. Will it be dark up there when the power goes out? Yep, that’s why I carry a “tactical” flashlight clipped to my front pants pocket. Not to mention the ones on bedside tables.