Emergency Lighting – you will want different types of lighting for different areas and personal use, Many types, I have listed a few below. Every person should be able to get to a light without searching in the dark, the household should have enough area lighting to safely eat, cook, use the bathroom, move around, perform basic repairs, and evacuate if necessary. With children or elderly in the home, lighting in rooms/areas such as kitchen, bedrooms and BATHROOMS will be essential for keeping routines and maintain calm for everyone. Make sure to keep paths To and From areas clear for walking in dim light or even darkness especially for going to the bathroom. Regular garden lights can be laid along baseboard to provide hallway lighting and charge in sun during the day. IT WILL BE DISTRACTING TO ALL TO FUNCTION WITHOUT USUAL LIGHTING – your eyes will acclimate quickly if take your time, watch where walking and holding and doing. All lights mentioned are outlet or solar charged and use a rechargeable battery. Use what you have until able to add to your emergency supplies. It may be quicker and cheaper to grab batteries for flashlights or lanterns you already have. I only use rechargeable due to not wanting to store and keep up with battery rotation and have replaced all with rechargeable LED over the years. With LED technology, the lights can be very bright, long lasting and easy to quickly recharge by solar or use of battery power pack.
Flashlights – Warning: using flashlight on your phone can drain phone battery quickly 1 flashlight per household member 1 spare flashlight
I recommend LED models because they use much less power and with great brightness. Rechargeable or need to keep spare batteries available for each flashlight (in case left on). Note the dates of expiration most batteries have and rotate stock of extra batteries.
Headlamps – my personal recommendation
1 for each Household member Keep at least 2 spare headlamps, especially for when misplace in the dark. Choose a model with adjustable brightness Keep spare batteries or rechargeable Great for cooking, even reading but mainly for easy movement inside and outside with TOTAL hands free use. ** PRO TIP: Headlamps have many uses, can always set pointed up as a “lantern”, hold like a flashlight or fix to a lamp, vase, book, hang on doorknob – anything you can get the adjustable strap around, hang or clamp onto (with a chip clip or clothes pin)
Lanterns 2 battery powered LED lanterns or rechargeable 1 lantern for main living area – whether inside or outside 1 lantern for sleeping/bedroom are
This type of light sits up and when pointed at a ceiling can illuminate a large area and I find can give a sense of normalcy inside a home. ** PRO TIP: Having been caught without lanterns, I used outside garden lights. By taking the stake off and placing light on low and setting in dining room with the solar panel down and used as the base, they stayed upright providing much light.
Personal Pocket light – Battery (keep extra batteries on hand) or rechargeable 1 small flashlight per person that can be put in a pocket (in case one using dies or dropped) Keep one by bed area Keep one in Go Bag or Storage area for back up lighting
Rechargeable Light Bulbs – look like regular lightbulbs with automatic charging when in a socket and up to 48 hours of back up light. I have not personally used but really like the idea for living area light.
KEEP at least one type of Light where you can reach it in complete darkness. Light AREAS such as Bathroom, sitting/living area, kitchen and Bedrooms with Lantern lights. Keep Flashlight of some type in vehicle.
REMEMBER STORE extra batteries for all types of lights – Or use of battery pack/Solar charging.
Outdoor lighting – may include solar charged, motion lights that can be used or even turned on “solid” to provide light to areas. THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX for any type of lighting device beyond phone or flashlight. Very Cheap yard solar lights from a dollar store can be put 2-4 in a red cup and placed on a table or in bathroom to provide enough light to navigate safely. Do you have any detachable lights on bikes or other toys? Batteries operated holiday lights? Any illumination can help light an area and maybe even lift spirits for this “adventure”. DO NOT USE CANDLES IF CANNOT STAY MONITOR AT ALL TIMES – Never Leave Candle lit while Sleeping
DO NOT use outdoor Fuel burning lights indoors. Never bring gas, propane, kerosene, charcoal or other equipment indoors because of Fire Risk and Carbon Monoxide poisoning. ⚠️ Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning: Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas that can build up quickly when fuel-burning equipment is used improperly. During a power outage, never use generators, grills, camp stoves, propane heaters, or other fuel-burning appliances inside your home, garage, basement, or enclosed area. Keep generators at least 20 feet from the house and away from doors, windows, and vents. CO can drift under a home, in through windows and be deadly. Have Back Up BATTERIES for detectors. Install working CO alarms on every level of your home and near sleeping areas. If a CO alarm sounds or anyone develops symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea, weakness, or confusion, get everyone outside into fresh air immediately and call 911. Carbon Monoxide poisoning can be FATAL. Take seriously and have battery operated CO detectors inside and outside as needed where sleep and people gather. If I had to pick lights for MINIMUM emergency outage, I would buy:
1. Battery Power Bank – provides a light AND information stored on phone or laptop, possible contact with others as able to keep phone (also has a light) and other items charged. Battery Power Bank is about phone sized with solar panel, crank and rechargeable by outlet. ** PRO TIP Even with no cell tower signal, texts can sometimes get through. EVERYONE should have a Power Bank – can even carry with you for traveling, just to see a friend across town or in a bag for if phone dies or emergency situation occurs away from home. Access to information on phone or by phone is a necessity! At least 1 per household but I recommend a back up in case of cloudy/Rainy days and cannot charge by solar or malfunction/damage. I have one battery pack for over 5 years and no longer make that brand (company only does solar panels now) with my other being a Blavor brand.
2. As Many Headlamps as possible (many uses, can always set pointed up as a “lantern”, hold like a flashlight, affix to a lamp, vase, book, hang on doorknob, put around a water filled, plastic milk jug for a room “glow” (anything you can get the adjustable strap around or clamp onto using clothes pins or even tape) – and at least 2 person.
ADDING WHEN ABLE 3. Lantern style lights – rechargeable 4. Yard – Garden Solar Lights – inexpensive and versatile with many ways to use BUT can ONLY be SOLAR CHARGED
Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the manufacturer’s operating instructions or safety guidelines. Always read and follow the applicable equipment owner’s manual and all safety instructions before operating any equipment. Proper operation, maintenance, and safety procedures are the responsibility of the operator.
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