INSTANT SURVIVAL TIP: Two important sources of light

Posted in: Featured, Instant Survival Tips, Outdoor Survival

image by superstrikertwo

Flashlights are terrific for focused, directional lighting, but they don’t always fill the bill when it comes to emergency lighting. Sometimes what’s most helpful is ambient lighting that lights up an entire room or area. We discovered this on a recent camping trip when we used the lantern portion of outdoor solar path lights. We left them outdoors to charge during the daytime, and by the time the sun went down, they were fully charged. We removed the lantern from the post and kept two or three of them in our tent. They provided soft light throughout the tent.

However, when it was time for a nighttime trip to the outdoors potty, we needed the directional light of a flashlight. Lesson learned: both types of lighting are important in an emergency.

It’s super easy to make your own solar lanterns. Stores like Target, Walmart and Home Depot carry inexpensive solar pathway lights. Look for a style that is very basic and easily allows the removal of the lantern. Once they’re charged, they can be used as is or you can follow these instructions for something more aesthetically pleasing.

So, stock up on a variety of flashlights, headlamps and batteries, and then add a few solar lanterns for important ambient lighting.

(8) Readers Comments

onematchwoman
May 3, 2011 at 6:43 am

Yes! We discovered this last year when we had a four-day power outage. They make terrific night lights, and can be recharged every day.

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rightwingmom
May 3, 2011 at 7:28 am

Excellent idea Lisa! We tested one of our outdoor solar path lights and were pleasantly surprised. I've since been buying a couple at a time and increasing our stockpile. I'm leaving the tab in place because we've already proven that they are effective, so I'd rather keep them in new condition.

DH plans on making a wooden holding stand so we can simply place them in the holes, and place the stand in the most optimum sun. (We live in an heavily wooded area.) I'm also planning on leaving them on their stake and placing the entire unit in a quart Mason jar.. …makeshift lamp.

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Bill Ice
May 3, 2011 at 8:15 am

Great idea! One of those why didn’t I think of that.

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Liz Long
May 3, 2011 at 3:36 pm

We have regular LED lanterns (battery powered) that we have used in power outages, but I agree that the solar powered ones are a great addition. We have two really nice lanterns for me and my husband, and cheaper ones for the kids.

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Anthony
May 4, 2011 at 11:17 am

Great idea Lisa, but in the long run this idea might not be ideal. I'm an electrician can can tell you most of the solar path lights you buy at a hardware store will not run efficiently or last a long time. My suggestion would be look for a lantern that is capable of using multi-fuel sources, Coleman makes one.

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Barbara
May 4, 2011 at 7:36 pm

This idea is great for general ambient lighting. If you're finding your way down the hall to the potty, or having nice conversation, it can't go wrong. But for task lighting you need something more. Be sure you have at least one or two good bright lights for reading and doing tasks that must be seen clearly. I can't imagine trying to remove a sliver for a squeamish kid with less than good bright directional light.

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Holly
May 5, 2011 at 6:35 pm

Thanks for this idea, Lisa! (Lightbulb moment?! Haha!) It's true that different types of lighting fit different tasks. I like the idea of stocking up on different types of lighting with different power sources. This fits the same pattern as having layers of food storage…layering lighting storage!

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rebecca ryan
May 9, 2012 at 2:38 pm

I keep a few in my car. on car trips i place them in the back window or front depending on sun to charge them up. my kids “read” with these in the back without draining flashlights. i use them at campgrounds on top of glassware for a pretty centerpiece. I was camping when we had a total power out. this saved the night as total darkness was scary for my kids in a tent.

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