My apologies for being down yesterday, that’s the first real hiccup with the new host and I am very underwhelmed with how it was handled. Thing is, know what to do next time in regards service. I’m also going to be exploring some options that may help deal with the surges. Feel free to hit the fundraiser, some options cost money and there are still bills to pay. My thanks to everyone who has helped!
The sad truth is, no matter what, darkness falls. The light goes away, and most of the time we flip a switch and an electric light banishes the dark. The problem is, electricity and the lights it powers, can and will go out. There are also times where you do need just an extra bit of light to check something out.
In practical preparedness terms, my decor has always included a fair number of candles and even oil lamps. I’ve also, in the past, had a generator as well as a variety of camping lanterns electric and other. Reminds me I need to check my Coleman as I loaned it to someone and from the sounds coming from the case I suspect it is busted. Sigh. I also have flashlights of differing sizes around, and usually have a couple on me, along with spare batteries. Power goes out inside a building and the emergency lights don’t work as promised? No problem. Also, helps when you have to try to read something or find something where the light is just not right.
So, with WWIII upon your mind, my suggestion is to get a mix as some or all may work after the boom. I get nothing from them, but will HIGHLY recommend Streamlight for your flashlight and safety light needs. I’ve carried and used their tac lights for years (including weapon lights), love the large HL-5X Protac flashlight I have (get about 2,000 lumens out of it with rechargeable batteries), and have never had to contact their customer service. You can find them at most good outdoor stores (use their website to find stores near you), or you can get their stuff at a decent price online from Optics Planet. Oh, for a number of reasons, make sure to have a headband-mounted light as part of your stock. Be amazed how often they come in handy.
Candles, well, you got a lot of options but allow me to make a suggestion. Find a place that sells church candles as they are designed to burn down slowly (and not make a mess) and as such last a good long time. Put up aluminum foil (shiny side out) behind them as reflectors, and you would be surprised at how much light you can get.
NOTE: Before lighting ANYTHING after a disaster, from a cigarette to a candle, check to be sure it is safe to do so! Earthquake or nuclear bomb, gas lines can break, fuel pipelines can spring a leak, even any stored propane or gas you have around might have spilled/leaked/etc. Only after you have checked, closed valves at need, etc. should you light up. If there has been a big boom nearby, the last thing you want to do is make a smaller one to finish the job the first started.
Now, I have camping lanterns because I used to camp. I also have used them more than once for power outages. There are a number of very good LED lanterns on the market, and while I would never take it backpacking (heavy) the LE LED lantern has worked well for me. Vont lanterns are okay, but not quite what I had hoped they would be. My Coleman lantern, well, sigh. Since I rent I also don’t have a shed or other place to store lots of fuel, so… Finally, I still have a few candle lanterns around. These were used a lot by backpackers as they were a relatively safe way to use candles at a campsite and, especially, in a tent. You can even get citronella candles for them.
Now, you can also get a generator to power the refrigerator and a few lights. If you have it stored in a basement or otherwise shielded, it may/should survive the EMP. Remember, if there is warning throw your main, throw the individual circuits, and unplug everything you can. Gives you the best shot at minimizing EMP damage. Make sure to have a secure location with ventilation to set it up. And, make sure it’s a quiet generator. Very quiet.
There’s something you need to think about with lights of any type, or a generator that makes noise and provides electrical lights. Lights are going to attract pests.
Disasters bring out the best in some people, and the worst in others. Light and sound are going to bring people to you. Some may be a blessing to have around. Some are not. My advice is to take the first rule of preparation club and give it steroids. Your best option safety-wise is to run dark, run silent, and run deep. And keep watch.
Oh, and stock up on batteries. Even ones you might not use, as someone else might need them and trade is going to be a part of recovering from a major disaster. It also gives you something you can give the authorities, if they come around looking to confiscate for the greater good, without giving up anything you truly need.
And, yes, you should hide as much of everything as you can because bad people (and yes I do count government types confiscating stuff as such) are likely to be a factor. Don’t make it easy on them. What few supplies I have these days are in my landlord’s box spring as no one will ever think to look there. Not that I’ve got much these days.
So, have a mix and stock up as much as you can. At some point in the recovery from any disaster, there comes a time where you want to light a beacon to guide others out of the dark. Be ready for that time, and until then think light tight and use what you do have judiciously.
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Preparedness On The Fly (Food)
Preparedness On The Fly: Water
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If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo. Getting hit by lightning is not fun, and it is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.
RE: light. If one has sufficient propane stocks (as in, “I have a propane stove connected to a 100 gallon/250 gallon/etc. tank”) there are propane mantle wall lamps for both RV and residential use. It will be a permanent installation, but depending on house design and layout, one may provide enough light for navigation and simple tasks and do so efficiently.
Whatever the temporary light source may be, some thought dedicated to placement, and ease of doing so, well prior to the need. Among other devices, I have a couple BrytLyt lanterns, developed by the Germans during WWI and while #1 kerosene works best they are capable of burning any flammable liquid. Since ceiling fans are usually centrally located, I have fabricated brackets from 1/8″ diameter steel rod to hang my BrytLyts, or my Coleman “unleaded gasoline or Coleman fuel” lanterns from the fans. Attention should be paid to the heat generated by combusted lighting fuel; the BrytLyts have an optional “top reflector” to direct light downward which also serves to dissipate the rising heat over a larger area; a few minutes with sheet aluminum, metal snips, drill and pop rivets can make similar devices for the Colemans. I also have a few Aladdin lamps which work quite well but the long vertical chimney directs a stream of heated air straight up, which must be considered, especially with high mounted lamps and 8 ft ceilings.
Your suggestion to conceal one’s light is a very important one, and deserving of a fair amount of pre-event planning all by itself, and a great deal of consideration during an event. When everything is totally dark a very little light can go a very, very long way; I won’t speak to specifics, but the distant faint glow of a lighted cigarette has led to the minting of many new widows, even in the complete absence of today’s modern NODs. The simple opening of a door, or moving a curtain to look out, can broadcast information better kept very confidential. It is very worthwhile to conduct a very detailed “external light leak examination” well before such diecretion may be needed.
Don’t forget the ammo! Without ammo, all the other prep is meaningless as it will quickly be taken away.
Had another thought – white light destroys night vision instantly, red light preserves it; those who served shipboard will recall “going red” at local sunset. So, keep some red light bulbs on hand and have a couple small flashlights that do “red only.” High-temp “cels” from theatrical supply houses allow creating red filters for non-electric lighting, but do pay very close attention to heat sources, and have spares.
Excellent point! Thanks for bringing that up.
Luminaid is a great go-to for solar rechargeable light.
You can get some that recharge a phone, too.
Many have color options on output.