Don’t Be In The Dark When The Lights Go Out
If you don’t want to be in the dark when the lights go out you need to be ready before you lose power. Yes, we will have power outages. The power may be out for a day, a week, several weeks, or months. I’m not a doomsday prepper, I actually don’t even like the word prepper anymore because of the messages being promoted by some of the over-the-top survivalists in the world. But I will say this, I do not like the dark, period. Here’s the deal, we can get through a power outage during the day because we have windows with light coming through them. It’s when the sun goes down that we need some light in our homes.
I feel strongly today to give a little nudge to have us all look at our light sources. These can be lanterns with or without batteries. Go check out your battery supplies.
When the lights go out, what should you do?
Here in Southern Utah, we are lucky to have batteries last six months due to the extreme heat we experience much of the year. It drives me crazy, so I try to store only a few batteries because they are so expensive to purchase and I don’t want to see them go to waste. I have several lanterns that are charged and ready to go and can be used inside the house. I like solar ones the best because I can charge those babies during the day outside if we have sunlight, which we have a lot of here in the desert.
If you have some of those outside lanterns that are solar-charged you can bring them in at night when it’s dark and use them. In the morning take them back outside to charge and they are ready when you need them. I love it when we can use items a few different ways, especially if you can use them at virtually no cost to your family, once they are purchased.
I like to have flashlights in my bedroom, my guest room, and my grandkids’ bunk bedroom. If I have guests come to stay they know they have flashlights by each bed. I made this emergency bag for my room and I need to make some for my guest rooms as well. Survival Bed Pouch. All you need are some pillowcases to make these.
Goal Zero Products
This is still my favorite flashlight: Goal Zero Torch 250 Flashlight with Integrated Solar Panel
. You can charge it via a wall outlet, in your car, by cranking it, and it also has a small solar panel built in. It puts out a great deal of light, and I can depend on this flashlight when I need it. It does not require batteries. My motto has always been “buy right the first time”.
This is a great smaller flashlight: Goal Zero 90109 Solo V2 Solar Flashlight
. This is a smaller flashlight that uses one AA battery and weighs a mere 3.2 ounces. It’s a great one for my backpack and purse.
When your budget allows it I would invest in one of these if you have anyone who uses a CPAP or nebulizer. This unit can charge your cell phones and laptops, and you can watch up to a 32-inch TV with DVDs. Trust me, if we have a 5-day power outage we will all want some entertainment, and you can do so much more with one of these. This is by far the most important item you will need unless you have a gas-powered generator. But when you run out of gas, now what? Goal Zero Yeti 400 Solar Generator Kit with 2X Nomad 20
Another great place to buy these is at Costco when they have a roadshow.
This is my favorite lantern: Goal Zero 32001 Lighthouse 250 Portable Battery Charger USB Power Hub and Lantern
It requires 2 lithium-ion batteries (included). It has a USB port to charge your small handheld items, it has a crank to hand charge the unit, and you can use solar panels (solar panels are additional items to purchase).
My Book Can Be a Real Help
You really need my book to help you with emergency lighting ideas and other emergency tips: Prepare Your Family for Survival: How to Be Ready for Any Emergency or Disaster Situation
. My book is also available at Barnes and Noble, Books-a-Million, Walmart, Target and many other stores online.
If we have a power outage flashlights and batteries will be at a premium price, if there are any left on the shelves at your local stores. Don’t be in the dark when the lights go out, prepare your family NOW before the emergency situation takes you by surprise! May God bless you in your efforts to be prepared for the unexpected. Please do something now before the lights go out.
