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Imagine you’re relaxing on the couch with your phone or tablet — perhaps reading an article on Urban Survival Site — when lightning flashes against the windows followed by a deafening crack of thunder. An instant later the lights go out and your home becomes dark and eerily quiet. What is the first thing you would do in this situation?
Hopefully, you have an easily accessible flashlight in each room so you don’t have to go digging through drawers and cabinets in the dark. But if it’s a long power outage, you don’t want to use flashlights the entire time. At some point, most people get out the candles, but there are many other options.
In this article, I’m going to cover all the most common ways to light your home when the power goes out.
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1. Flashlights
Everyone has at least one flashlight somewhere, but is it in good condition? Batteries drain over time, so if the flashlight has sat for a year without being used, it might be time to check the batteries.
Even if the batteries are good, the flashlight might not be very bright or reliable if it’s really old. Make sure you have a good flashlight in every room. It’s no fun being in the middle of a power outage with flashlights that don’t work.
Small LED flashlights are bright enough for most purposes, and easy enough to store by the bed, in a drawer, and by the door, so you always have a light handy if the power goes out.
2. Rechargeable Flashlights
Another option is dynamo flashlights which usually charge with a hand crank. These are alright for short term use, or slightly hyper kids, but could be awkward if you’re trying to actually work on something. They are good for storing in the car, or in a rarely looked at emergency kit, since they don’t have a battery to run out.
Ones with a pump style dynamo, as opposed to a turning hand-crank dynamo, are easier to use and harder to break. The biggest drawback of the dynamo flashlights is that they do not hold the dynamo charge for long, and require nearly constant effort to maintain power.
But again, kids might like them, especially if you can get one that shows the inner workings of the flashlight’s dynamo.
3. Head Lamps
If you need both hands for something but you also need a flashlight, head lamps are the perfect solution. You could also just leave it on your head and turn it on when you go to the bathroom or any unlighted room. There are many highly rated options.
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Another way to use head lamps is to attach them to a milk jug like this. As you can see, this causes the light to disperse, creating a makeshift lamp.
4. Candles
Candles are often among the first choices for emergency lighting. They are easily attainable, have no expiration, and are easy to use. However, they are also a danger due to being an open flame. If candles are part of your power outage preparations, make sure that for every type of candle you also have the proper non-flammable holder for it.
For taper candles, get some sturdy candlestick holders that won’t easily tip over, and put them on a flat, non-flammable surface. For pillar candles, make sure they are always set on a non-flammable surface. The same goes for votive candles, tea lights, and any other homemade candles.
Personally I recommend this 80-hour candle. Beeswax candles are expensive, but they last a long time and they typically burn hotter and brighter than paraffin or soy candles.
Check out 11 Ordinary Things You Can Turn Into Candles.
5. Kerosene / Oil Lamps
These are awesome light sources, especially the old school hurricane lanterns. As with candles, however, they are an open flame so you need to be careful with them. Oil lamps also give off more heat and carbon dioxide than candles and should only be used in a well-ventilated room.
Store lamp oil in a non-corrosive container as it sometimes eats through the plastic bottles. If you decide to use oil lamps, keep extra wicks as well as extra oil on hand.
6. Propane Lamps
Propane lamps (such as those used for camping) can also give plenty of light in a power outage. The danger of such lamps is their high heat output and high oxygen use. A propane lamp should be used outside or in a well-ventilated area. If you decide to use a propane lamp, make sure you have a few extra propane bottles to keep your light going.
7. Battery Powered Lights
Flashlights aren’t the only type of light powered by batteries. You can also get battery-powered lanterns, folding lights, and even candles.
You’re going to use a lot of batteries if you go this route, so you might want to invest in some rechargeable batteries and a solar battery charger. Rechargeable batteries don’t last as long so you’ll be changing them a lot, but at least you won’t have to deal with kerosene or lamp oil. It depends on your preference.
Check out Battery Hacks That Will Save Your Ass.
8. Rechargeable Lights
With these, no batteries are necessary. You just plug them into the wall to charge them up. They’re great for short-term power outages, but obviously they won’t be a great option if the power is out for more than a day. It’s a good idea to have a nice rechargeable work light, anyway. Then when the power goes out you’ll have another option.
Another option is a rechargeable spotlight. These are useful if you have chores to do or a perimeter to check. Rechargeable spotlights usually have two options, either a rechargeable battery pack, or a recharging dock for the whole flashlight. With frequent use, a rechargeable spotlight will usually last two years with bright light, but it may last longer with infrequent use.
A smaller, simpler solution is a plugin emergency light by Ideal Security. You just plug it in, and it will automatically turn on when the power goes out. The SK636 Emergency Blackout Light lasts an incredible 40 hours, and the SK638 Emergency Power Failure LED Light has a contemporary design that looks good in any home. The cool thing about these is they can also be used as automatic nightlights, so if you already have nightlights, you may as well replace them with these emergency lights.
9. Solar Indoor Lamps
There are duo dynamo/solar lamps that you can charge with sunlight, or by using the included dynamo. Some of these even have ports so that you can charge your phone (like this one).
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If you don’t care about the dynamo, there are plenty of lamps that work well with solar power alone. The survival solar air lantern works for up to 12 hours on a single charge. There are also many solar desk lamps to choose from. Depending on the lamp, they can be brighter than an oil lamp and can last for several hours.
10. Solar Outdoor Lamps
Depending on your purpose and location, outdoor solar lights may be a good idea for emergency or power outage use. Most solar lights will last from 6-8 hours on a single charge in the summer, possibly only 4 hours during the winter months. Some motion sensing solar lights can last all night on a single charge, even in the winter.
While solar lights are usually kept outdoors, you can bring them inside if you need extra light. In fact, some of you probably already have solar garden lights. A large vase can hold several of these with ease, and provides concentrated light if you do not have an oil lamp or indoor solar lamp.
Check out: 6 Ways to Hack Outdoor Solar Lights for Survival.
11. Glow Sticks
One way to keep kids entertained during a power outage is to have them use glow sticks for light. These little sticks are long lasting, fun, and fairly inexpensive. They can be propped in corners or tied to clothing to provide ambient light. Other options include glow bracelets, necklaces, and UV Paqlite. Depending on the color, they may even be bright enough to read by.
Check out 12 Uses for Glow Sticks in a Survival Scenario.
Increasing Your Light
While light sources are always useful, a few small additions can greatly increase the amount of light given by any single light source.
When using candles, put a tin pie plate behind the holder and under the candle. The reflection will increase the amount of light by several candle-watts. If you have candle wall scones, add a tin pie plate, or sheet of tin foil behind the scone. It will not only protect your wall from heat, but reflect more light out into the room. Use a foil background to increase light outputs from oil lamps and glow sticks as well.
Smaller rooms need less light to feel bright, so you might want to gather your family into one small room and read together to make the most of your light sources.
Finally, in a power outage, don’t be afraid to use all your natural light resources. Open blinds and curtains to let in as much light as possible. Only close curtains after dusk has fallen, as then the curtains can reflect your light sources back into the room.
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During recent hurricane Ian we used our solar yard lights inside with reflectors/mirrors/pie tins etc to enhance the brightness. Some gave off brighter light than others.
I replaced the rechargeable batteries with regular batteries temporarily. When we retired at bedtime, loosened the batteries so they weren’t lit all night. Leaving one of the dimmer lights on in the bathroom for night visits gave just enough light to avoid the “toe to furniture” hazards.
We also had puck lights that we placed upside down on top of mason jars for counter lighting in the kitchen and bathrooms that don’t have much natural light even on a normal day.
Caveat reminder to all, check your larger lantern batteries throughout the year, maybe when you change smoke alarm batteries with the time changes. Several days before Ian, we found our emergency lanterns were very low and put in replacement batteries that we had on hand. In our area every store was sold out of the larger square ones 3 days before the hurricane made landfall.
I’m glad your family was prepared to ride out the hurricane prepared. Thanks for those helpful tips!
I am pretty handy around the house in that I used to build houses for a living and now that I’m retired I still do a lot of handyman work in all areas of a house. Using my electrical skills I have ran a single circuit through my house and installed red receptacles in key locations for a total of 8 single gang duplex recepts on a 15 amp circuit. At the line in end of the circuit it’s connect to a 3000 watt Renogy AC inverter powered by 2 deep cycle 12 volt batteries that are on a battery maintainer. When the power drops out and if I choose to not fire up one of my 2 generators. I just plug in whatever I need to use,(lights, computer, TV, small appliance) or anything that I might need short term. With over 200 amp hour battery life and never over about 8-10 amp load it lasts a long time. Think about it. A little knowledge and elbow grease and one more problem with one more solution. It’s worked for 10 years now and I think it’ll keep giving great service when needed. Stay safe and God bless.
Awesome that you were able to do that yourself. Thanks for a great idea!
I have a flashlight on my Android cell phone. It is an LED bulb. My cellphone therefore may be my closest light source in a power failure. The LED bulb would probably burn for hours. (The cellphone screen also gives light)
I lived in a small town with little street lighting and discovered I could get around after dark by moonlight. On a moonless or overcast night I might need a flashlight but I could often remember the location of obstacles around the cabin.
Considering #6, have plenty mantles for your propane lamp or lantern. Also suggested to have an extra glass globe on hand. The long-nose butane lighters sold at DOLLAR TREE are excellent for lighting lanterns, stoves, and candles.
What’s wrong with just going to bed and waiting for the sun to rise ? ! ?
Having to get up several times during the night to pee!
In Alaska in winter that can be a lonnnnnnnnnng night! 😛
All replies are very limited compared to our BLACKOUT KIT consisting of a 12 volt small car battery that is charged from the mains after being used. The battery provides many many HOURS of power to several LEDS on cables. radio, 2 or 4 watt 12-volt fans + small 12-volt color TV, mobile charging, laptop even small printer, +our micro electric folding scooter via an inverter to its mains adaptor etc – – – No Mains? Take battery outside with small 42-watt solar panel for charging.
#4 and #5 are good options that I myself have used, however, beware if you own a cat. My cat set himself on fire when he jump on the table near my lit candle. He was not injured and didn’t seem to notice, but i sure did and made a not that cats are very flammable.
It is not “cats” that are flammable, but “hair”.
Be it pet or human hair.
So women and men with long hair, beware leaning over exposed flames, candles or other exposed flames.
Possibly even lanterns that appear to have an enclosed flame. If your hair could inadvertently get inside the glass cover. It could catch on fire.
So be safe out there.
I use the Uco candle lantern. They have single candle, 3 candle, and tea light lanterns. Since the flame is enclosed it’s safer than a bare candle. I also have the liquid paraffin candles with domes. Feuerhand makes extremely good lamp oil lanterns.
You can pull your solar walkway lights and put in a pot to offer ambient light. Then just put outside during daylight to recharge.
During the 2004 hurricanes in Florida, I used solar lights during the time we were without electricity. They are not bright enough to read by, but they will keep you from running into the walls and furniture! They won’t run your batteries down. Plus they are not as dangerous as candles, kerosene lamps and oil lamps.
i have battery wall lights can purchase at $ tree hang them on all walls takes 4 small batteries per light
I would recommend the Sears battery for both starting your car or as emergency power with plug-ins which can also be charged again with your automobile charge and lighter port. A good working auto is always a great temporary shelter providing heat, cool, and light as long as you stock some extra gas.
I would recommend the UVPAQLITE 8 man tent light, it has reusable glow in the dark crystals to basically be a permanent night light. https://www.uvpaqlite.com/the-uv-paqlite-1.html
Their product line is awesome.