Since there is no emergency prep forum, this seems next best. Which is better for emergency lightin

[rhett o rick]

g, kerosene, candles, or alcohol?

[elocs]

1. If you want to learn about everything survival, go here:

http://peakoil.com/forum8.html
and you will learn more than you ever wanted to know.

[rhett o rick]

3. Thanks nm

[ixion]

2. lamp oil, IMO

or candles...

[Geoff R. Casavant]

4. A safer option would be

battery-operated, fluorescent bulb lanterns. We used them during Ike -- eight D batteries lasted two days of ordinary use.

[rhett o rick]

5. thanks nm

[SteveM]

6. Some other folks with similar questions:

Other postings seem to be on the same subject.



http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=353x2210

[krispos42]

7. I keep a few glowsticks around the house

They don't blow out, make carbon monoxide, or set things on fire. And Wal-Mart has them for 88 cents each.


I also have an oil lamp and a keep a couple of quarts of oil for it in the closet. Much brighter than a glowstick and a source of heat in the winter, if needed.

I also have a couple of cheap candles kicking around.

A wind-up LED flashslight is a good investment as well. Never goes out.

[rhett o rick]

9. thanks. nm

[iverglas]

10. you beat me to it -- wind-up flashlights

A vote for that, the absolute best option.



How goes the flashlight collection?

[DavidMS]

21. I also like wind up flashlights...

No mess, no emissions, always there when I need them. I have had a couple of power outages (short) in my apartment and they are very useful.

Get a couple, they aren't too expensive.

[jeepnstein]

8. None of the above....

I ditched all my lanterns for LED flashlights. LED's lessen the risk of fire, which you don't want in the event of some kind of emergency. I carry one in my courier bag, a couple in my "Get Home Bag", and we have a few more at home. You can never have too many flashlights.

If I were faced with a long-term power outage then, I'd go for lanterns like this http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___80399. Dual fuel is a good thing if your Coleman fuel stash runs low and you need to forage for a bit of unleaded regular. You can go dual fuel with a camping stove as well. You'd better darn well have a fire plan in place before you start using stuff like this even though they are fairly safe.

Having bright lights at night during a power outage can call unwanted attention to your location. Think about it. Some times you are just better off not inviting trouble into your life.

There are some good preparedness sites on the internet. Look around a bit.

[MicaelS]

23. You do NOT need a Dual Fuel lantern

Any regular Coleman lantern will run on unleaded gasoline, provided it is Super Unleaded only. The only downside is you go thought mantles a bit faster. I speak from experience.

[Hangingon]

11. We are just ending hurricane season.

We keep candles, flashlights (spare batteries for them and the radios)and light sticks. We also keep propane lanterns and spare flats of propane cans. They power the stove too. This year we kept a spare BBQ propane tank.

[rhett o rick]

17. I just bought a 5 gal propane and adapter to use for my camping stove. nm

[Hangingon]

18. Good idea.

Now that the season is about over - local tv thinks it is for practical purposes - I worry about the amount of "boom" in my garage. Better BBQ for a month.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

12. From what standpoint?

From a fire standpoint? From a lighting standpoint?

David

[rhett o rick]

16. Good question. I was thinking mostly of a cleanliness standpoint from the smoke. nm

[benEzra]

13. LED headlamp.

From personal experience in "hurricane country," a headlamp is VERY useful. Lets you cook/work/etc. at night using both hands, indoors or out.

For longer outages or room lighting, kerosene is the easiest to store, and a kerosene lamp is far brighter than candles and probably safer. Coleman lanterns are bright as all get out, but probably too bright for indoor lighting, and they produce a LOT of heat (and probably use more oxygen than kerosene lamps). Have never used an alcohol lamp but it probably smells less than kerosene.

When storms have hit us, we've mostly gone with LED's and kerosene lamps. Just be sure to keep a fire extinguisher handy, just in case, and make sure the wicks are trimmed to burn cleanly or else you'll end up with hydrocarbon-fume headaches.

[Indy Lurker]

19. Good source for LED flashlights

The CREE LED lights work very well.
http://www.dealextreme.com/products.dx/category.901


they also have windup lights here:
http://www.dealextreme.com/products.dx/category.918


They are out of Hong Kong, there is no charge for shipping, but it takes 2-4 weeks to get your stuff.

[JoeyMac]

14. This:

attached to this

[pipoman]

15. I collect early 20th century barn lanterns

so for short term outages we have a couple common ones with scent free lamp fuel in them and a few gallons of extra fuel. Two years ago we had a major ice storm. We live in the country and lost power. We stayed warm using our fire place and used the barn lanterns for light. The power company told us it would be 2 days. After 2 days they said 2 more days. I called a few places and no generators were available, got on waiting lists. After another 2 days they said "any time now". On the 7th day Lowes called and had a generator for me. I went and picked it up, brought it home and was filling it with oil when the power company pulled in the driveway to restore service..:banghead: and :bounce: Since then we have used the generator a few times and my in-laws used it for a week last year.

So my answer is that a generator is the ultimate emergency power outage lighting. Mine will run my gas furnace fan, refrigerator, freezer, TV, internet modem, 4 low energy light bulbs and 2 laptops easily on around 1/2 gallon of gas per hour...be sure to check the oil before starting and each time you refuel. Also if storing with gasoline in it, treat the fuel with Stabil to prevent fuel breakdown. Most areas require a generator transfer switch and it is a very good idea to install one even if it isn't required. If the generator is ran through a dryer receptacle (240 volts, as mine is) which powers your breaker panel in the house, the power will also flow backwards through the main, to the power pole, through the transformer, resulting in the damaged line being charged with 480+ volts. This has killed many linemen and can result in criminal prosecution and/or civil liability. A generator transfer switch will prevent this as will turning off the main manually at the pole. It is also a good idea to post a notice on your meter that you are running a generator.

[Big Boss]

20. For lighting...

this site seems to have some nice windup LED lamps and flashlights for sale. Decent prices too.

http://www.athenabrands.com

I'm looking to pick some up in the near future.

[iiibbb]

22. LED