LESSON 9: Lighting

Your options are lighting are various, but I would caution you to use lighting options that are safe, inexpensive, and readily available.

I am very impressed with all of the dynamo (hand-crank) lights on the market today. There are hand-held flashlights and laterns available in the camping section that are inexpensive, durable, and plentiful. These are really ideal if you have young children who need the security of having their own light source. I keep one at the top and bottom of each set of stairs in my home, one in each car, two in my bugout bag, one in my purse, and one in each bathroom drawer. I bought both of my kids the lights that also work as cellphone chargers and radios last Christmas.

Solor lighting is also a great idea. You don't have to stake them outside to get the full effect, either. Set them in a sunny window all day and you'll have wonderful ambient lighting throughout the night. Though not bright, it's enough to keep you from walking into a completely dark room. Again, for little one's they make a wonderful nightlight.

I suggest that you have at least 3 battery recharging systems. I see the A size battery charging systems everywhere and recently have seen the C and D size recharging systems on the internet. Find a way to use your portable recharging systems to keep at least 4 batteries fully charged at all times.

CANDLES AND LANTERNS: I will assume that you all know about candle safety. That being said, I only use candles in wide, low glass jars. That's not to say that I don't have several dozen taper candles in the house. When they go on sale I buy a lot of them. Look for candles to go on sale after Christmas and buy lots of them. I bought two dozen red tapers knowing that I would never use them for fine dining, but they were 25 cents each, cheaper than buying the wax and wick anywhere else.

Head to your craft store and buy a spool or two of good candle wick. It's worth it to buy the best as they burn slow and steady. I also have a few packages of Gulf wax at home. I buy this around canning season because some folks still can using wax. Candlemaking is simple, inexpensive, and when done properly, very safe. Simply keep all of your wax drippings in a bag and melt them down for re-use. Don't buy any candles with the new dissolving wax...it just burns up, leaves soot on your ceilings, and you can't re-use any of the wax.

I have purchased a couple of oil lamps, extra wick, and several bottles of lamp oil. You can find good oil maps at Lehmans.com, but also look around for other supplies while you're there. Again, Christmastime is the best time to find these in plentiful quantities at low prices. One thing: Don't buy scented oils. Trust me on this.

Use one of the old-fashioned methods for maximizing your candle or lamp light and put a mirror or another highly reflective background behind it. Unless you have children, you really shouldn't bother with lighting rooms that are not in use.

Emergency Essentials sells a neat little jar lantern for about $4 each. They say they burn 100 hours, but it's closer to 80. It burns a tiny flame, just enough light to keep you from tripping, not enough for reading or handwork.

Your cell phone is another source of light. WTSHTF you won't be calling anyone with it, so you might as well keep it charged as an emergency low-intensity flashlight.