Emergency Lighting

1. Cyalume Sticks

-Safest indoor lighting. The resulting green light glows for eight hours and is safe to use after an earthquake.

-One time use and gives a "glow in the dark" light. They burn for 8-12 hours only and dim over time. Don't plan on reading with one.

2. Flashlights

-Don't turn on flashlight if a gas line has broken. Go outside the building to turn on the flashlight; then you can enter the building.

-Alkaline batteries store the best. Lithium batteries store twice as long. If batteries are kept in their original packages in a cold, dry place at normal room temperature, they can last between 3-5 years. Do not put in freezer.

-Use krypton or halogen light bulbs, they last longer and give more light. Store extra light bulbs.

-Hand cranked version is good to have, in case of not having batteries.

-A standard-sized flashlight that uses 2 D-cell batteries will only run for approximately 7 hours straight. Great for emergency times only. Place strategically around your home.

3. Candles

-A good rule of thumb is to store one per day (365).

-The larger base of the candle the better. White or light-colored candles burn brighter. Tallow candles burn brighter, longer and are almost smoke-free.

-Make sure you have a safe candle holder.

-Store a lot of waterproof matches and butane lighters (about 2,000 wooden matches).

-Store candles in a cool place. If you are storing more than one in the same container, lay them flat with wax paper in between them.

4. Kerosene Lamps

-Very efficient fuel. One quart can burn up to 45 hours. Ultra pure lamp oil burns cleaner and will produce less odor and smoke.

-Trim wick in a "V" or "A" shape, or straight across the top for best light and less smoke. Wicks should be trimmed after about 12 hours of use.

-Aladdin-type lamps have more light (circular wicks need no trimming).

-Don't put by combustible objects because it heats up to 750 degrees F.

-Store extra wicks, chimneys, and mantles.

5. Lanterns

-Excellent source of light.

-White gas and propane lanterns are very volatile. Be cautious and always fill outdoors. They put off a great deal of heat and can be used as a heating source when outside.

-A double mantle lantern gives off as much light as a 100-watt light bulb.

-Store extra mantles and matches.

-Never go to sleep with any unvented burning devices in the home.

-Battery operated lanterns are one of the best choices for safety and light combined. Lanterns with fluorescent light bulbs will burn much longer on the same set of batteries than will lanterns with incandescent bulbs.

-Candle lanterns or candeliers can be bought at sporting good stores and hold small emergency or tea light candles.

On an interesting note:

-Take a second look at your garden or yard solar garden lights. They are not as bright as a 100-watt light bulb but do give some light. They can be a renewable light source.

-A simple idea that can double the lighting capacity of a temporary light source is an ordinary mirror. It will reflect the light from your emergency light source, giving you twice the illumination. If no mirror is available, you could tape aluminum foil to the wall of backdrop behind a lamp or lantern. This even works with a flashlight.