30 Days to better Preparedness. Day 3. Lighting.
Well, done to everyone keeping up and working on their tasks from the first two days. Thank you, thank you to everyone who has posted and shared what they have done and their ideas on the subject. So many great tips and we are all learning. Normally I try to respond to all comments as I am very grateful for them. With the volume of work everyday and so many participating please forgive me that I can't manage to reply individually. I read all comments and thank you.
Today we are going to consider lighting. This is a pretty big subject and important. Back up lighting in case the power is out is important for a heap of reasons. Firstly, darkness is scary and also dangerous. Easy tasks become difficult without enough light. Secondly, it is reassuring and can make a bad situation bearable.
Most of us have some back up lighting. Today I want you to imagine if you have no power for two weeks. A time that is beyond the battery life of your flash light and you would have burned your first few candles.
Something really good is that candles really became decorator items. So people tend to have many more candles than they did for a while. I have some huge candles throughout my home. They are part of the decor. This is a good thing! We keep a torch next to the bed. I have battery torches/flashlights and we have a couple of solar ones. They are fantastic. They rest in window sills to remain charged.
We keep a box of batteries in all sizes so we have replacements.
We have a huge box of candles and another of lighters and matches. I bought a box of 50 lighters as I figure in a crisis they would be a highly wanted item.
I really like to have a book light that clips onto a book because then you can read easily. These are battery operated and last a long time. Since the power is obviously out some good reading will keep you happy and content. A little light like this for each member of the family would be really good.
We always had it that each person has a flashlight and it is kept next to the bed. In the dark we could all lay our hands on it as it was always there. I would say each vehicle should have a strong flashlight but we will get to vehicles later in this course.
If you are using candles or lanterns there are obvious cautions you need to take safety wise. We do have some good battery powered lanterns and I really like them. Hardware and camping stores are really good places to discover lighting options you never knew existed. These make very good gifts.
I made "Blackout Kits" for everyone at different times. If someone moves out for the first time that is a gift I give them.
A very safe option for children are solar lights. You make sure they are outside during the day and they come inside at night. A whole string of lights can sit inside a jar with the solar panel on top. They look wonderful and provide quite a lot of light. Also free to run.
Another idea for kids is to keep glo sticks on hand. They think they are a treat and great fun which could minimise the stress of a scary situation. They emit light for quite a long time. They come in heaps of colours and as sticks and other shapes. I think really good to have a stash of those.
I make sure I have a strong enough light to work by ie if I am making a meal I want decent light. Usually I would use one of the bright battery operated lanterns.
Helmet lights are also brilliant! They clip or strap on so you are hands free and the light is on your head or hat. They are clever! Inexpensive too! When you need light on the subject and free hands they are great. We are lucky to have so many options. So stock up and order some extra. I even keep a tiny flash light in my handbag. On my phone also I have the flashlight app. Yes, your phone can be a flashlight for free and its a really bright light too! Make sure you have that.
Your task for today is to check each are of lighting. Top it up if needed before the end of our course.
Check your supply of matches and lighters. Top those up also.
Check your supply of batteries. Make sure you have plenty in the right sizes for your flashlights and lanterns.
Consider lighting options good gifts and book lights to encourage reading.
Place flashlights where each person knows they can lay their hand on one. No one wants to have to search in the dark for what they need.
Have spares of all of them. You will be so glad of lighting being the least of your worries in a lengthy outage.
My opportunity was to use up three oranges that I had sitting around. I added some lemons too. I made three Winter Sunshine Cakes. One was with gluten free flour. The other two were with regular flour. I gave one to Chloe to help with work lunches. Also I added a jar of the loom infused honey.
I have never thought to keep a decent supply of candles and matches, so thank you!! I mean I have some, but not enough to last a couple of weeks. I will be sure to buy some next time I do my grocery shopping.
ReplyDeleteSomething I've noticed is that there are tons of jar candles and stick candles at the thrift stores. People tire of the scent or were no longer liking candles and they donated them. Good source of inexpensive candles. Also, as Annabell mentioned, solar lights are a great idea. I have some that are still being 'charged' by the sun and they are over 2 years old.
Deleteoh, another cool idea. I have a couple of bright LED 'light switches'. Bought them at Walmart and they look just like a wall light switch that you flip on and off. It has a magnet on the back and can just stay on a fridge or any magnetic surface until you need it. You can also place them in closets, or under kitchen cabinets for extra light, just use some sort of tape on the back. My brother has one right on the wall next to the regular wall light switch, as when the electricity goes out, as is the habit, you flip on the wall switch... so the LED one is right there to flip on. Don't look directly at the light, as it can damage your eyes, but wow, it sure puts out a lot of light.
DeleteAnother wonderful post. The Book light is a great suggestion. Going to check my supplies now!
ReplyDeleteWind up torches are good to have on hand too, as are the ones with the solar chargers. We have those stashed in the house, and also in our camper. Kids love the wind-up torches. Ours were $5 each, from Kmart, but it was a long time ago. I know you can get them at camping stores, no idea the price though. I'd check online sources first. Waterproof matches as well as gas lighters - if gas lighters get wet or damp they don't work, so a couple of boxes of waterproof matches as a back-up is a good idea. The old fashioned kerosene lamps give off a great light. Keep a supply of the mantles and some kero. You can get them at camping shops, some $2 type shops, Kmart etc. Like anything with a flame, keep it up out of the way of children, pets and blowing curtains, and on a heatproof base. You can make little oil lamps very easily with a jar, some string for a wick and oil. They look pretty and give off enough light to read by. And when the candles burn down, save the stubs, melt them and make new candles. Keep them in the fridge or freezer and they burn longer. Solar garden lights brought in of an evening give off enough light to see for a good couple of hours and they don't cost anything to run.
ReplyDeleteAnnabell, I am enjoying your posts...I cannot see comments and ideas. Where do I look?
ReplyDeleteThank you for this challenge! I thought maybe I couldn't keep up with the challenge as school just started and the garden harvest is keeping me busy. But I was able to complete this part of the challenge. Check on flashlight in purse and random places around the house. We are good for batteries of all sizes. Candles in random rooms too! But I do need to buy 2 more flashlights. Husband has 2 headlamps which are very useful for repair work in the dark. Not good for conversing in the dark as he tends to shine the light right into my eyes. :)
ReplyDeleteKeeping eyes and ears open. Do have friends on quarantine, but they seem to be well.
Blessings to all!
Ah,the beauty of time zones, you just posted and it is the end of Wednesday here in the Arizona desert ;). Lighting is a huge topic! I just went through our batteries last week….will go through the rest of your ideas. Here in the desert, in the summer, our storms are quite capable of putting out the local electricity for a few hours, so we have candles, but I haven’t checked in far too long, plus looking to see where all the matchbooks disappeared to ;). Tomorrow I will! I think your idea of a two week period is excellent, it is easy to last one night…two weeks is a different matter indeed.
ReplyDeleteDone, checked batteries, flashlights, candles, matches and solar light! Thanks!
DeleteDone, checked batteries, flashlights, candles, matches and solar light! Thanks!
DeleteI have candles and matches which my girls love to use on a regular basis very hygge, always out ready to use but I’m definitely going to need more and I thought we had enough. Never thought about cigarette lighters I will put those on the list.
ReplyDeleteMum always has a torch beside her bed and one in her walker basket, but need to get her more batteries and an extra torch or two. I photo copied my cards yesterday and will make up tw note books with those and other details and put in two separate safe zones, I don’t work tomorrow so I will concentrate on catching up with those tasks. From tonight I m making 5-6 servings of dinners, we will use 4 and I’ll freeze 2 one spare for use and the other for mum, her freezer is too small to have more than a fortnight’s worth of anything.
I’m so grateful you are doing this for us Annabel, our former preparations were enough for the old world but not for now, it’s changing so quickly.
Thank you for the reminder to keep a flashlight (torch) next to every bed. I also take one with me when I travel, and we keep one in the car. I am in pretty good shape for lighters and wooden kitchen matches. Although you were writing about emergency lighting, I also would use matches to light the burners of my gas cooking range. (It has electronic ignition, but you can light the burners with a match).
ReplyDeleteThe one thing you didn't mention specifically are propane camp lanterns. We have two left from our camping days. I also have half a dozen small propane cylinders around.
We have been without power for 4 days in the middle of a freezing cold winter! Thankfully we have a wood burning stove and a down comforter for our bed! We have plenty of flashlights as my hubby keeps buying different kinds! Lots of batteries, too! And we have a couple of camping lanterns. I also have various candles throughout the house, as well as kerosene lanterns. I have extra kerosene stored in our garage. Does anyone know if you can keep it indefinitely?
ReplyDeleteMy husband says kerosene can last up to 5 years if stored in it's original, tightly sealed, unvented container (in a cool spot). Otherwise, an additive is needed to keep mold or algae from growing, and if it's added every 2 or 3 years, it can last indefinitely.
DeleteWe bought a habit with us from our last house. We always have quick and easy access to alternative light sources. We used to live in an area where the power went out regularly, and usually at night. Our favourite lights are button lights. We get these from Bunnings. They are about the size of a 20c piece with a small LED light in the middle. They have a sticky back on them. We have three of these stuck up in our living area. When the power goes out you stand up and flick a little switch. The light is enough to do things by, but not good enough for reading. We have torches, batteries and battery powered lanterns. There are alternative light sources in each room. This post has reminded me to pull out our emergency box to go through and update it prior to cyclone season. I have some doggy treats that can go off to Katie's dogs as they are no longer required here.
ReplyDeleteOne thing my kids loved to do when they were little, and the power had been out for an extended time, was to make pretty patterns in old tins, using a nail and hammer. They could then light a candle in the tin and see the light patterns that their hole punching made. It also meant the candle wax wasnt burning them and that the candle was pretty safe.
Hi Annabel. Thank you for the time and care you are putting into these daily posts.
ReplyDeleteWe have more small torches than we used to, including one which is magnetic, and is attached to the rangehood in the kitchen, where it has proved to be very useful and quick to locate in a power cut. Those little LED flashlights are excellent, and give lots of light. We also have a large rechargeable lantern, and mean to get another one of those. A while back I used your idea and reorganised a jumble of batteries into a plastic box with compartments, and my husband was pretty impressed at how much easier they were to locate when needed! Some more candles are now on my list, and also a couple of lighters.
That’s great advice again Annabel. My husband is pretty organised when it comes to lights & batteries, but I will get him to double check everything.
ReplyDeleteA great source for candles/candle holders is op shops...and IKEA sell a good range at reasonable cost (if you have one near enough)
Annabel,
ReplyDeleteI am very well prepared for lighting. I have a huge bin of candles, plenty of matches and lighters, wicks and lamp oil, headlamps, flashlights of different sizes, a battery operated lantern and even a flashlight that charges with water. Here in the states is a good time to watch for mark downs on solar items because the summer season is almost over.
XOXO
Vicky
Great topic.
ReplyDeleteWe have solar power and a battery system so are unlikely to be without light completely. Nevertheless, I do still have a few candles in strategic locations as well as a good supply of matches. There are torches in the kitchen drawer as well as one in the workshop. However, I do need to get ones to keep in each car - thanks for the reminder. Additionally, I want to buy one for my sewing machine as I do not have a spare.
Dear Annabel
ReplyDeleteI have had a' blackout box" prepared for a couple of years now; a large torch and back up batteries, candles, matches and gas stove lighters and refill gas. I include emergency numbers and contacts for electricity and gas. Thankfully I haven't had to use it yet but we know it is there.
Thank you for your series on preparedness, it not only reduces any anxiety I have in the present situation but focusses me on on actions that I can take to make life a little easier.
Virginia
You made me think and need to top up on these items. Very rarely we have this problem and can manage with some decor candles, three camping flashlights for each of us and one solar fairyhouse lights but deffinitely need more! Thank you
ReplyDeleteLaura when Texas had the freezing conditions and lost power it was so bad because they were not used to these conditions and therefore most people werent prepared for that degree of cold. I think the less likely something is the less we prepare for it which kind of makes sense but then bam it is not good. We do have pretty regular power outages here. It wasnt once so but now it isxxx
DeleteI have said it before - your challenge may be a life saver. Thanks again. Simple things but if you don't think of them you are not prepared exactly when in need ....
DeleteThanks Annabel
ReplyDeleteWe have many power outages every year and all seasons, sometimes for days!
I only use candles in the safest of locations away from dried flowers ;) and curtains etc, as I've heard that nearly all house fires that aren't from forgetting the cooking or electrical faults are from candles!
The Red Cross sell very handy plug in torches that illuminate if the power goes off and then they recharge as the power returns, so you can locate these strategically around the house so you can get to a light and organise other torches. Lots of people use solar garden lights and keep them handy for the same reson.
Kate
Dear Kate, I guess I should have mentioned I move my flowers if I use my candles! Tha k you for mentioning the red cross torches, I didnt know about those. I think the solar lights are fantastic. I need to get some more of those! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteKate, thanks for mentioning what is called the Red Cross Blackout Buddy. I had never heard of these and I will definitely be buying a couple! They are surprisingly inexpensive. In the US, they are available at Lowe's and Home Depot, as well as online. I live in a home with underground utilities, so electricity is very reliable, but in an ice storm, power can be out for several weeks. We haven't had a big ice storm in 25 years, so we are overdue...power was out for 3 weeks during the last one. Also, I have lots of batteries, but this has encouraged me to inventory what I already have. A battery tester helps to determine whether the odd battery is still good, or just got dumped back in the drawer! For your US readers, Office Max currently has a 100% rebate offer (returned as Rewards, not cash) on big packages of Duracell Optimum batteries. I am going to use this to top up after I do my inventory. This offer will be in the stores and online, but I don't know for how long. I usually use the Rewards to buy printer ink.
DeleteJust found out, the Office Max battery deal expires Aug. 21. However, there are battery deals every few weeks during the fall (and maybe at other times of the year). I take advantage of them several times for Christmas stocking stuffers for my adult kids.
Delete--Maxine
After the 2010/2011 earthquakes my DP reviewed all our lighting sources. We have many candles, a torch in each of our bags, along with others. He also has a headlight torch that can be worn directly on the head. One thing he put together was a bug out bag. This includes blankets, water,food,cat food,etc. All the things you might need if you have to leave home in a hurry. We keep this permanently in the car. I have a folder which I keep our important doucument in but I might make a smaller one with photocopies as well. Thank you for reminding me of this.
ReplyDeleteDear Mandy, You really have had experience in disasters with the earthquakes. I am going to do a post on evacuation and bug out bags and what to keep in the car. I always thought I never want to leave home as it is my safe haven. And yet we had to and in a hurry as a fire closed it. So scary. Thanks Mandy, love Annabel.xxx
DeleteLighting! Great reminder as in my part of the world we are coming up to autumn/fall when the nights draw in and lighting is needed for more of the time. I have torches for every person in the house (they keep them next to their bed). I was thinking of the camping section for lighting as some of those lights you can hang up. The glow sticks we also keep for little ones- makes it fun & takes away some of the fear of the dark. After this reminder, I now know I need more candles and batteries!
ReplyDeleteMuch love, Heidi xx
Dear Annabel, I probably could get some more candles I think. Just last week I was able to buy a second chimney or flue for my second kerosene lamp, I have been looking for a year. I have a solar / wind up torch and radio on the watch list on ebay that I will purchase this week. My daughter and I came across an accident between a truck and some diary cows recently on a very dark night and a good torch would have helped a lot. I will get a good one for each car. One of the above comments triggered my memory of my Mum having a really good torch that was magnetic so was always on the fridge - handy - and always in the right spot. I will look for one of those. Thanks everyone, love Clare
ReplyDeleteWe are well prepared for this. We have wind up flashlights and all of the other mentioned items. I keep glow sticks in my nightstand drawer so that if the power goes out at night we can grab one and get it going for some light, mainly for safety.
ReplyDeleteI like to always have a bag of muffins in my freezer that I can grab and thaw for anyone who comes by. My Mom always had something in her freezer to go with a cup of coffee so I learned well.
Thank you Annabell! I'm looking forward to each day's task and getting it done.
ReplyDeleteAnd another comment-One odd thing we noticed this week out shopping was stock at our Walmart. Grocery shelves are not bare but there was 15 feet of multiple shelves of only bags of sugar. Then over at the pancake mix shelves they had four shelves about 5 feet wide stuffed with only Aunt Jemima brand mix and syrup. They did not have any other brand. You know it was big in the news that this brand was being discontinued and that was probably a year ago. It seems like they are having to dig deep to keep something on the shelves.
ReplyDeleteTwo weeks ago, here in SW Georgia USA, I was in Walmart to stock up on refrigerated items and found sugar, flour, cornmeal, pasta, cooking oil, peanut butter shelves were literally bare. It reminded me of Florida right before a hurricane. As a whole the shelves were nowhere near their normal capacity. As someone who prepares and keeps a good stock of food and supplies this frightened me. Thank you for this series of being prepared. Your blog gives me a sense of relief that others are actively preparing for their families. A lot of times you feel alone in this journey. The comments are the best for info and learning what is happening in our world.
DeleteI have a large supply of candles, in all sizes ( tea lights, household and fat pillar types) and plenty of boxes of matches. I also keep plenty of all the different types of light bulbs in (you never know what the stores might run out of next!) We all use our phones as everyday torches, but have small powerful led battery torches as well. I have several paraffin lanterns, and at least one camping gas one from my Girl Guide days🙂 but I’m not sure about fuel for those…time to investigate! There are definitely several head torches around, but usually in the tractors! So I think batteries and fuel are now on my shopping list😉
ReplyDeleteI have lots of candles, lighters and matches. I have flashlights and headlamps and batteries. I have a lot of solar lights outside I could bring in. My biggest prep aid has been a whole house generator which runs on natural gas here. It was costly, but a game changer. I also have small gas generators I could loan out.
ReplyDeleteExcellent! I do need to get more matches. Also a few extra wicks for my oil lamps.
ReplyDeleteHi Annabel (and everyone),
ReplyDeleteLighting is so important! Wonderful ideas here. We have candles, matches, battery-operated camping lanterns (we use those when we have to go into our storm shelter and they last a long time), and flashlights, but I bet we need some more batteries! And maybe another book light - we have one, but we are both readers, so there should be no competitions for the book light, haha. :) I also love the solar light idea and am going to look into those. We get a ton of sun in our part of the country and they would charge brilliantly.
<3
Kathy
Dear Annabel,
ReplyDeleteI am woefully behind on this course, but I am making notes of the tasks to do and hope to get to them this weekend. Food preserving and house repairs are eating my time! But I did manage to make an extra meal's worth of stuffed peppers tonight to stick in the freezer, so I am making baby steps!
These are all wonderful tips for us all.
xx Jen in NS
I have a decent supply of candles and matches and a couple of flashlights. I just put in fresh batteries but need to add more. I'd also like some glow sticks and the headlamps - I'll add them to my list to buy later in the month. Lots of great ideas.
ReplyDeleteHubby checked on batteries. I made gluten free peanut butter cookies yesterday and put some in the freezer. Today I made a half batch of refrigerator pickles. I didn't have quite enough cucumber so used one half cup of zucchini to make enough. Hoping I didn't ruin them.
DeleteI want to add to Mandy's earthquake post. We were still living in Los Angeles when the last big quake happened there. You know the flashlight kept by the bed? And the shoes? Those do no good in the nightstand and should somehow be attached to the bed!! Especially when the shaking is so strong that the nightstand and drawers get thrown halfway across the room! From then on, I kept them in a canvas bag hanging on the bed post. If the bed went traveling, I was going with it! Oh, the time it took us to find them in the dark!! I even debated putting them between us in bed after that.
ReplyDeleteHi Annabel and bluebirds,
ReplyDeleteI love your storage box for batteries! I am going to see if I can find something similar because that is a brilliant idea!
I have plenty of matches but not lighters, so will add those to my shopping list.
We have a variety of light devices although they are run by batteries, apart from our old kero lights and candles. I will definitely make sure to stock up on batteries also. And I will look for solar type lights too.
Thank you for this challenge.
Love Tania xxx
We have good supplies of matches, candles, flashlights, oil lamps, lighters, a variety of batteries, etc. What this reminded me of is the two brand new outside security lights we have had sitting in the shop for ummm a few years now. I think one of those is solar. In any case we need to get those installed ASAP. I need to get a couple of those book lights, too. Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteI inventoried our lighting supplies. We have 5 solar Luci lights, 3 battery operated lanterns, 2 head lamps, 7-8 flashlights of various sizes all over the house, 5 battery operated candles, 2 brass lanterns with candles, matches, a fireplace lighter, 2 book lights and batteries though I need to inventory the battery supply. I love the drawer unit to organize the batteries - brilliant idea! I will add that to my shopping list! I showed my husband and he said the drawer unit is what he calls a nail condo for his nails and he knows where to find them.
ReplyDeleteI love how all these suggestions can be modified for wherever you live and the type of outages you have. Last year I took all my old solar lights from the yard. washed them well and replaced the batteries with specially made solar replacements from Amazon. This really extended the lights in our yard and I kept some to use in an emergency. I also keep quite a supply of the portable power banks to charge the phones, computers, kindles, etc. My big splurge was a solar generator which will power a range of things including my coffee maker which I think I will really need!
ReplyDeleteWe have a lot of those small LED flashlights. We pick them up on sale to have in the vehicles, tractors, all rooms, in my purse, at work in my desk drawer. Our phones have the flashlight app. I got solar emergency lights for the kids. I plan to get the garden solar lights when they go on sale here soon (end of summer) for child-safe lighting. We also have candles but only a few as I worry about an open flame. I will be looking into the booklights when they go on sale for the holidays. Farmer uses a head lamp when he does chores in the early morning. It works great. In my Amazon "waiting" list is a camping lantern for my kitchen for a brighter light. Also, we have at least one power bank but need to get a solar one. On my big wishlist is a big house generator.
ReplyDeleteEveryone may already know this, but if you direct your flashlight/torch at the ceiling the light will reflect down and seem brighter. Thank you for all you do for us Annabelle!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWe are good here with lighting and such. We finally got our whole house generator installed so that's a comfort to me.
ReplyDelete