Lighting in an Emergency

Being in the dark sucks. Being in the dark in an emergency situation is even worse.

Make sure you have emergency lighting solutions to help you during any darkness.

Different Lighting Options in an Emergency

There are a lot of different lighting options out there in a wide range of prices. Here’s a breakdown of what is available.

Flashlights / Torches

A very common form of lighting will be to have a flashlight on hand. 

There are a lot of options out there. Like a lot. With many specs and features. I’m not going to get too deep into flashlights here. But I will say there will be something out there that fits your budget and needs.

With the widespread use of LED’s yo will find most flashlights are more energy efficient and less prone to breaking than previous models that used actual bulbs. A led flashlight is a good option for reliable lighting.

Pros

• Wide range of prices
• Lots of features available
• Easy to use, instant light
• Durable

Cons

• Needs something to power it

Headlamps

A headlamp takes the concept of a flashlight and makes it a bit ore useful. By strapping it to your head it allows your hands free to do other things.

Just like flashlights there is a wide range of headlamps available.

Pros

• Allows hands free operation
• Usually a lot smaller than a flashlight
• Can come with multiple features (light brightness, color of light etc)

Cons

• Can be expensive
• Might be uncomfortable for some people
• Battery life might not be as long as a flashlight

Lanterns

Pros

• Can light a large area
• Can run for a long time
• Can be either powered by batteries or a fuel like kerosene

Cons

• Can be bulky
• Could be hazardous if using a fuel source 

Here are some things to think about when researching flashlights, headlamps and lanterns.

• What are the physical dimensions? Do you need it to fit into a pocket? Is it easy to hold?
• What powers them? What type of batteries does it need? Can you easily replace these if needed?
• How bright are they? What is the output of it? 
• How long can it run for?
• What other features do they have?
  • Is it waterproof?
  • Does it have different lighting modes
  • How is it turned on and off
  • Is there anything gimmicky on offer that might not actually be that great?

Glow Sticks

Glow sticks should be part of your emergency kit. They are a quick and easy way to get light and require no batteries. Simply remove them from their packaging, bend and break the inside capsule and shake,

Pros

• Cheap
• Easy to use
• Nothing extra needed to power them

Cons

• Single use
• Not super powerful
• Will have an expiry or best before date

While glow sticks are not as good as a flashlight. They are really helpful in an emergency. If I had to choose darkness or a glow stick I would go with a glow stick.

I like that they are simple to use. You bend them to break the little capsule inside. This allows the two chemical to mix and you have light.

I know there are some fancy glow sticks out there being sold as super bright or very long lasting. But go with what fits your budget.

For me the difference between an 8 hour one and a 12 hour one doesn’t justify the price difference.

Glow Stick Colors

Glow sticks can come in a lot of different colors. Looking at one of the local websites here I could get:

• Red
• Green
• Yellow

So which color is best?

I’m not sure if there is a best color. I usually go for the green / yellow ones. 

Shop Around to Find the Best Price

Glow sticks are usually quite cheap. It pays to shop around.

I’ve found that some places selling them here online are actually supplied by another company that sells them online a lot cheaper than the other stores.

Always Good to Have on Hand

I would buy more than you think you need. They can be handy for all sorts of emergency kits. Or just to have some in the car.

Check the Expiry Dates on Them

They will have a use by date on them. I’m sure they will still work fine, but the length of time they are supposed to work might be sorter than advertised due to the age of them.

I had some on hand that had a use by date of: 

Which makes them THIS MUCH OLD

Candles

My least favorite form of lighting, but something that you might want to consider.

Pros

• Can be cheap
• Can have long burn times

Cons

• Can be a fire hazard
• Can be messy and produce smoke
• Require something to light them

Candles have been around for a long time. I feel there are more efficient, better lighting solutions out there. They wouldn’t be my go to light source, but it does have a place in some emergency kits.

You can go with candles that have long burn times. That are short and in a container. This prevents them from being knocked over.

Of course you will need something to light them with. A basic lighter is probably the best option. With a backup of matches if you prefer.

I might only have a candle and lighting items in a grab and go bag, or survival kit type setup. Otherwise I would have one of the other options. Just my personal preference.

It Pays to Shop Around and Look at Features

Whichever lighting solution you prefer it pays to shop around and compare features.

Remember you want something that can give you light when you need it. From there you can start comparing different options.

I’ll be covering the items I’ve picked for my own emergency kits in the blog section of the website.