What do I need to be ready for a blackout ?

Question

My friend and his little boy were at my house one evening when the lights went out . We found out that I'm not ready for a blackout . We managed to put together an emergency light with a candle and an old jar . What do I need to get so I'll be ready the next time the lights go out ?

Answer 1

Oil or kerosene burning lamps are the safest and longest burning. The glass chimney type that were common before electricity. You can even use a scented oil in them. Have a lighter handy with the lamps. And a flashlight to use while you light the lamps. Candles are more dangerous for fire. There are also battery operated lanterns that will provide light for hours.

Answer 2

It depends on what part of the country you live in...Weather, crime for example. For sure you'll want a good supply of batteries of different sizes(AA's are best), flashlights & candles, lighters/matches, food, water, hand can opener, a radio& perhaps a battery operated TV. Make sure you have your flashlights spread out throughout your house so that you can get one in the dark...Most people have cell phones these days... but most land line phone require electric. Buy one... home phone that doesn't require electric! Btw, there are wind-up cell phone chargers that are cheap... Shake lights & wind-up radios(no batteries required!) If your in a colder climate, you may want to have a generator, gas with fuel stabilzer, firewood & newspaper. You may want a firearm...Its a good time for crime..Ps, have some cash....
Cheers

Answer 3

We get rolling blackouts often where I live. Here are some things we have at hand. We keep candles and lighters in areas in our home that are difficult to see in. We also keep flashlights and fresh batteries. (Especially useful in the garage because we have an electric garage door opener and to open the doors without power we have to see to operate them manually in the dark garage.) We also have a regular telephone which works without batteries and plugs directly into the phone jack without working with electricity. We keep a transitor radio that does work on batteries so we can listen to the news and be updated on emergency bulletins. We keep food that can be prepared easily like dried soups or canned items on hand. We keep a aim and flame lighter to ignite our gas stove (ours is gas with an electric ignitor). We also got back-up battery systems for our home security system and our computer.

Answer 4

ok mike this what you do. Go to a store like big lots and get some light bulbs that go by batteries. I found this very helpful when i was in hurricane Ivan in mississippi. There is a link some are called cordless light bulbs http://cgi.ebay.com/Cordless-Jumbo-Lightbulb-22943_W0QQitemZ250196248766QQihZ015QQcategoryZ3201QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem or try that one http://cgi.ebay.com/BATTERY-OPERATED-INDOOR-OUTDOOR-EMERGENCY-LAMP-23189_W0QQitemZ250196066421QQihZ015QQcategoryZ106990QQcmdZViewItem -----------------http://www.batterysavers.com/ now for the ebay links you might want to check elsewhere to do your purchase but those are some examples of things you can buy to prepare yourself

Answer 5

I would do a bit of research on emergency preparedness in your local area and see what measures or safeguards your municipality has in place for this. I would invest in a small generator for your home. I have one in reserve and it gives me peace of mind.

Answer 6

Flashlights, batteries, and lots of candles and matches. Well, you could always use the stove.

Answer 7

if you can't get a generator.

flashlight and extra batteries, or a hand crank kind
radio and extra batteries, or a hand crank kind
cash, ATMs might be down
bottle water.
caned food
etc....

Answer 8

eskie lover is just too good.imo

Answer 9

flashlights, candles?.......