Let There Be Light: Best Emergency Light Sources in a Power Outage

Some of HybridLight's solar-powered devices come with the ability to charge a phone. Courtesy of The Provident Prepper

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It’s easy to take electric lights for granted since they chase away darkness with the flick of a switch. But they’re vulnerable to outages. Don’t wait for the lights to go out to find alternative sources of illumination.

Jonathan and Kylene Jones, founders of the Provident Prepper website, have extensive experience in disaster preparedness. They regularly conduct seminars for those eager to learn how to become self-reliant and better safeguard themselves and their families in the event of emergencies. In an interview with The Epoch Times, they shared their advice on using a combination of light sources, including low-tech oil lamps and solar-powered flashlights.

Traditional Lighting

Candles might seem to be a good fit for emergency lighting. However, they tend to flicker, can be snuffed by an errant breeze, can’t be used effectively by persons walking outdoors, don’t produce much light, and are a potential fire hazard.

“Other problems with candles are that many are pretty scented ones that can be overwhelming when used indoors,” Jonathan said, “and the fact that you need to use a lot of candles to be able to get the amount of light you need to read or to just dispel the darkness effectively.”

Oil lamps emit brighter and steadier light than a flickering candle, since they have a tall glass globe that protects the burning wick from drafts that could extinguish it or cause it to flicker. As a bonus in cold conditions, oil lamps also provide a bit of heat.

In addition to being a reliable source of light, the Joneses said they enjoy the ambiance oil lamps create, which can be a calming influence in a stressful storm or emergency scenario.

Generally, oil lanterns are easy to use and have few parts that can fail. As long as they have an ample supply of oil, a wick, and a glass globe, they can be put to use in minutes. However, not all lamps produce the same amount of light, so some experimentation is in order. The wick’s width determines the amount of light, with a wider wick producing more illumination.

Oil lamps are available in styles ranging from chamber oil lamps that would be right at home in a Victorian-style home, to hurricane lamps that look like standard equipment for an 1800s steam locomotive or a California gold rush campsite. There are also plenty of modern models to fit any aesthetic.

Fueling Your Oil Lamp

The key to optimum oil lamp performance is to use the right oil. The best option is paraffin lamp oil, which is specifically formulated for both indoor and outdoor use. While oil lamps do release carbon monoxide, according to LampsLab, it’s not enough to cause poisoning in a well-ventilated room. Keep a battery-powered carbon monoxide (CO) detector present and watch for symptoms of CO poisoning.

In the absence of paraffin oil, these lamps can also use mustard oil, olive oil, or fish oil as fuel. According to the Joneses, kerosene emits too many pollutants to be used indoors. Look for an oil that is labeled as smokeless and rated for indoor use.

Because an oil lamp utilizes an open flame, care must be taken when using them, particularly indoors. They also need to be kept away from children and pets and placed in a secure location where they won’t be knocked over.

Modern lanterns, such as those made by Coleman that use lantern fuel or even gasoline, are a great source of illumination outdoors, but they can’t be used indoors due to the danger of their carbon monoxide emissions.

Cordless Choices

A flashlight or electric lantern solves the dilemma of how to have bright light when there’s no power. However, a problem arises if fresh batteries aren’t immediately available. Another issue is that the batteries might corrode if left in a flashlight or lantern for a long time. The Joneses told The Epoch Times that they resolved that issue by relying upon solar-powered lights made by Hybrid Light, for which they act as ambassadors.

“Hybrid Lights are seriously the best,” Jonathan said. “I know that there are other solar lights out there, but we’ve used these and feel they are the best.”

Jonathan’s favorite product is the headlamp. “Being the guy that is often doing things, fixing things, or taking care of animals, I need my hands free,” he said. “So, for me, a headlamp is the ideal thing, because I’m looking at what I want light on, and I have my hands free to do what I need to do. Their lanterns are awesome for sitting on the table, having dinner.”

Many of Hybrid Light’s products have attached solar panels and can even be used to charge your cellphone. “It’s not going to charge a phone super-fast, but after you use it, put it back in the window and let it charge some more,” Jonathan said. “To be able to charge your phone, I think that’s really important.”

Portable Power

Another bright idea is to use a portable generator when the power lines go down. The Joneses have had good experiences using Honda generators.

“They have portable models that are easy to start and move around as needed, even by small wives and children,” Jonathan said. ”They run very quietly, use an inverter that produces power that is safe for use with computers, have a carbon dioxide monitor that shuts them down if unsafe levels are detected, and some of them can be linked together to produce enough power to run the whole house.”

Solar Powerplants

In addition to the options offered by the Joneses, compact and portable solar panels are an ideal way to convert sunlight into electricity. They can be used to keep battery-powered electronics, cellphones, and rechargeable flashlights or lanterns ready for use.

Dark Energy offers the Spectre 15-watt solar panel, which weighs less than 12 ounces and is the size of a magazine. Ideal for camping and power outages, the waterproof unit features panels that can withstand 200 pounds of pressure, an important feature if it gets stepped on. The company says it recharges a typical cellphone in about four hours.

The Spectre will also recharge other Dark Energy products. They include Poseidon Pro power packs, which can be charged by cord or solar, and the Plasma Lighter, a pocket-sized, fully electric fire-starter that also has a 120-lumen flashlight.

Best of all, these devices aren’t just useful in an emergency. They all come in handy for camping, tailgate parties, at the beach, and for everyday life.

Hybrid Light is offering a 20 percent discount to readers of The Epoch Times. Use the code EPOCH at HybridLight.com