Heat and Light

In an emergency do you have a way to heat your house/tent? Power to keep essentials running in case of power failure? Loss of power can happen at any time. A severe thunderstorm can cause enough damage to knock power out for days. Having a reliable source of power will ensure you have access to emergency radio announcements, adequate lighting, heat, and communication during outages. Having access to a power source during times of serious emergencies will make a big difference in your ability to endure. You will also need different types of fuels to run some of these power sources.  See this page on HEAT.

How about lighting? Start by evaluating exactly what your lighting needs are. Think about the various ways that you may need light as you complete your daily tasks. Each light is intended to serve a unique purpose. For instance: a headlamp provides great hands-free light, but a lantern would work better to provide area lighting around a table. The soft glow of the fireplace may be all the light that is needed, or perhaps you need bright light for a detailed task.

Some situations may be better served with a flame-less lighting option. An open flame can be dangerous, especially around young children. If there is any possibility of a gas leak, an open flame could be deadly. Plan appropriate light sources for each scenario you may experience.

Consider short-term solutions for brief power outages and plan more sustainable options in the event of an extended power outage. Planning ahead will enable you to light your world when the power is out.  See this page for more information on LIGHT.