There are a lot of factors to think about when putting together a survival kit, and a lot of the things that have to be included have a few different options each. It is beneficial to have options available because individuals are unique, their circumstances are diverse, and their requirements differ from one another. Illumination is an essential component that must consistently be included in the kit.
When it begins to get dark, having access to light becomes essential in many different situations. If the power goes out, if one is lost in the woods, or any of the number of other situations, having a source of light can determine whether or not one will survive. This can be deciding factor between ease and tension. However, there is also a possibility that fire is not a viable choice in this situation.
It may not be a good idea to have a source of light that relies on fire if you are in the woods, if it is dry where you are, if you are inside a house, or if there are contaminants in the air. Furthermore, the increased luminosity of many electronic light sources is another factor that may come into play. Candles are an obvious choice, but there are other ways to generate light that may be preferable in certain circumstances.
1. Candles
Candles are considered to be the most reliable source of light in an emergency. In Ife power goes out, all you will require is a candle and some matches. As a result, you should always have a few candles and a box of matches on hand at home in case of an emergency. Since they have an indefinitely long shelf life, there is no need for you to be concerned about any kind of expiration date.
You might also want to keep one or two candles in your car, as well as in your emergency kit and your bug-out bag. Candles, on the other hand, pose a risk of starting fires, which is something to keep in mind. Before you light the candle, you should check to make sure that there is nothing combustible in the immediate vicinity. Never walk away from a candle while it is still burning.
2. Glow Sticks
Because they alleviate any anxiety that your children might experience if there is a power outage, glow sticks made it onto the list. You could provide them with these glow sticks so that they have something to carry with them when it is dark outside. They are not only inexpensive but also entertaining and durable.
You can also use them to provide ambient lighting by positioning them in the four corners of the house. You also have the choice to purchase glow necklaces or bracelets for your children that they can wear while they are inside the house. There are some glow sticks on the market that emit a level of light that is suitable for reading a book. They are an excellent option for emergency lighting, particularly for children, as they can turn an extended period of powerlessness into an opportunity for play.
3. Battery-Powered Flashlight
A flashlight that is powered by batteries should always be included on any list of possible emergency light sources. They are the source of light that virtually everyone turns to first. You ought to have one in your vehicle, in your emergency kit, and every room of your house. On the other hand, given that batteries lose their charge over time, you should make it a habit to check on them at regular intervals.
You need to make sure that you have an additional set of batteries on hand just in case the ones that are already in your flashlight run out. There is a wide variety of styles and sizes of flashlights. Additionally, they come with a variety of bulbs of various types. Your preferences and how much money you have available will determine which option is best for you.
4. Rechargeable Flashlight
You have the option of purchasing a rechargeable flashlight if you would rather not spend a lot of money on batteries for your torch. These flashlights come equipped with a dynamo that can be charged by turning a hand crank on the side of the device. The power that is generated is kept in a battery that is located inside the device. When you use one of these flashlights, you won’t need to stress about whether or not you have spare batteries at home.
However, it cannot store enough power to enable the light to shine for as long as it does with flashlights that are powered by batteries. However, some models are capable of being charged in the same manner as a mobile phone. The flashlight only needs to be connected to a charger, and then you just need to wait for its power to be replenished. Because of this, it is the optimal option to go with if you have a generator at your home.
5. Solar Flashlight
Flashlights that are powered by batteries require a sufficient supply of batteries, and flashlights that can be recharged require some level of physical exertion to function. Solar flashlights, on the other hand, only need the sun’s energy to become completely charged.
Even though they may require a rechargeable battery, that is the only thing you need for the flashlight, other than placing them in direct sunlight to charge them. If the sun is not able to make its way out from behind the clouds, these devices also provide additional charging options. In addition, they come with a variety of additional features that are not included in any standard flashlights that we are aware of.
6. Battery-Operated Lamp
In addition to the flashlights, another option for providing light in the event of an emergency is to acquire a lamp that is powered by a battery. Even though these lamps use a lot of batteries, the amount of light they emit is sufficient to ensure that you won’t be fumbling around in the dark if the power goes out.
They have the appearance of a conventional oil lantern but do not use fire, so there is no risk of them starting a fire. These devices also come with additional features that are not available on traditional oil lanterns. You will never have access to these features with one of these devices.
7. Rechargeable Lamps
In a manner analogous to that of flashlights, there are now rechargeable lamps available, which do away with the requirement to keep spare batteries on hand at home. To give these lamps a charge, you simply need to connect their cords to a power outlet on the wall. They may not be adequate for power outages that last for several days, but they are perfect for blackouts that are only a few hours long.
If your primary source of light suddenly fails, you can rely on these lamps to serve as a backup. Even though some rechargeable lamps only have the most fundamental features, there are other models available that provide additional benefits in addition to illuminating the area at night.
8. Headlamps
During times that call for immediate action, it is best to keep both hands free in case it becomes necessary to use them. However, if there is a blackout at night, this could become more difficult. But if you have a headlamp to illuminate the path ahead of you, this won’t be an issue at all.
Headlamps allow you to see where you are going in the dark while also releasing your hands to do other things. If someone needs first aid in the dark, you can also use it. When attached to a gallon jug of milk or water, the headlamp can even serve as a makeshift lamp for emergencies.
9. Oil Lanterns
When the power goes out, even something as basic as an oil lantern can be used as a makeshift light source in an emergency. These lanterns are effective sources of light, especially the more conventional hurricane or storm lanterns. They are excellent replacements for regular candles in terms of providing light for survival in the event of a natural disaster.
However, one thing you need to keep in mind is that to avoid any mishaps, you need to make sure that you store lamp oil in containers that are not corrosive. If you intend to rely on these lanterns as your primary source of illumination in the event of a power outage, you should also ensure that you have a supply of spare wicks on hand.
10. Night-Vision Equipment
You might be interested in purchasing some night vision equipment if you want to go high-tech. They essentially make infrared light brighter, so you can see in the dark. In addition to goggles, you can purchase night vision binoculars to help you see in the dark. This is not a toy, remember that. Some of the tools employed by outdoor experts.
Additionally, they are somewhat expensive. If money is not an issue, however, take a look at the following gadgets that we have found for you. Although they are not frequently used for survival lighting, they can be very useful to have on hand in some circumstances.
11. Oil Lamp
We mentioned earlier in this article how it is extremely unsafe to place candles all around your home. This is particularly true if you have young children who might unintentionally tip a candle over while playing. Candles don’t last forever, so you’ll probably need to use another emergency lighting system even if you don’t think they pose a serious safety risk in your particular situation.
The oil lamp is a magnificent substitute for candles, provided your home is properly ventilated. Perhaps you already own one that you use for camping trips. There is a wide range of models on the market that are propelled by different materials, including gas, oil, kerosene, and even olive oil. Olive oil is the safest choice out of all of them because it emits fewer toxins than kerosene or gas.
12. Camp Stove
Stoves, also known as campfires or survival stoves, are portable heat sources that also produce light. Cooking food, warming up by the fire, and illuminating the area around you are all excellent uses for this method, all of which can be accomplished while the fire is contained and under control.
There are many different kinds of fuel, and your purchasing decision might be influenced by this. Even though the vast majority of camp stoves are intended to be used only outside, you should always put safety first whenever you are burning any kind of fuel source. This is true even if it means huddling together on your apartment balcony.
13. Generator
Understandably, you might not want to immediately go out and purchase a generator if you do not already own one. If this is the case, there is nothing wrong with that decision. The initial purchase price of a generator is not the only cost associated with owning one; ongoing maintenance and power costs are also significant. You should not buy a generator unless it is within your financial means to do so. However, if you have access to a generator, you can use it to power the entirety of your home, or at the very least, a portion of it. You will be able to keep the lights on in your home and your generator operational provided that you have a sufficient supply of gasoline.
14. Sun-Powered Garden Lights
These particular varieties of solar lights come equipped with batteries, which are then connected straight to a solar panel. They are not the same as solar-powered flashlights or lanterns because they are designed for use outside and can only be charged by solar panels; they cannot be charged by batteries, USB, or anything else of the sort.
The vast majority of solar garden lights are not very bright, with some producing no more than 5 lumens. On the other hand, they have the advantage of being very inexpensive. During power outages, they make an excellent nightlight that can be kept in places such as bathrooms, hallways, or bedrooms of children. There are also solar outdoor lights that are significantly more powerful; however, these tend to be more expensive.
15. Torches
Torches are an option in a bind if you do not have anything else available to you. There are a variety of materials that can be used to make a torch. If you have a survival knife, you can use it to create a cool primitive method by using it to cut several deep notches into the end of a long branch. After that, you stuff some wet clay or moss into the notch, and then you cover it with a pine pitch. Pine pitch has a very high burning capacity and is resistant to the effects of wind.
It’s strange how we don’t seem to value things like a light until they are taken away from us. If, however, you find yourself in a precarious situation after dark, you had better be prepared with a reliable and sufficient source of light so that you can see what you are doing.