There are a variety of lighting and heating options available for when the grid goes down and we recommend keeping more than one option on hand. Some lighting and heating options are better suited for certain situations or time frames and less useful in others.

Lights

The type of lighting you’ll want to keep on hand will have a lot to do with the intended purpose of the light. For this reason, you’ll likely want to stock up on a few different types of lighting.

For long term, general lighting purposes look for lighting options that are safe, renewable, and sufficiently bright. Solar powered lights are favored because they fit all three of the above qualifications. Crank lights also require no stored batteries and are completely hazard free. Battery powered lanterns give off very good light but do require battery storage - usually big batteries of C or D size. If you opt for a battery-powered lantern, LED lights outlast other bulbs and generally use less battery power too. It also may be worth it to get some decent rechargeable batteries and a charger.

Propane lanterns are effective light-givers but tend to use a decent amount of fuel. In addition they have been known to cause some nasty burns if accidentally touched and can also pose a fire risk. Candles are a perennial staple because they are easy to use and store, require no power or fuel source, and provide a decent light. They’re lightweight and easy to carry as well. Any type of candle can be used for light and some double as insect repellant or cooking surfaces.

Flashlights and headlamps provide good, bright, targeted light for things like moving about in the dark or looking for things. Emergency signaling lights are what you want for alerting others to your presence or signaling for help, although a basic flashlight can also serve this purpose. There are innumerable flashlights and headlamps available on the market and while just about any will do in a pinch, beware of cheap flashlights that will break or malfunction quickly. Look for a waterproof flashlight or headlamp sealed with o-rings, multiple light intensity settings, and a wrist loop or clip so you don’t lose it. Also make sure you’ve got the replacement battery stock to keep your flashlight or headlamp working. Both battery operated and non-battery operated flashlights are available. Some non-battery operated options include crank or shake powered lights and LED flashlights such as the Coghlan’s Dynamo Light.

Heat

Open fire often creates the best heat, but it isn’t always possible or wise to build a campfire.

Foot and hand warmers are small and lightweight and multipurpose. Unfortunately, most foot and hand warmers are not reusable. They can, however, be used on-the-go and do provide good warmth for the extremities (the first parts of our bodies to forgo circulation when we begin to get cold).  

Propane heaters provide more generalized and controllable heat but can pose a burn risk if accidentally touched or toppled. These heaters also tend to use quite a bit of fuel so you’ll have to keep quite a bit on hand if you plan to heat primarily with a propane heater.

Small light and heat producing fuel cans are available for emergency purposes but are neither sufficient nor efficient enough to be a main heat source for a long period of time.

Emergency Lights

Emergency lights are used to signal your presence to others. They can be used to re-group when you’ve split up or to signal for rescue, or just to alert others to your presence so as not to cause alarm.

Light sticks and emergency strobe lights are the most common types of emergency lights. Both are compact, easy to carry, and easy to use. Light sticks can be kept just about anywhere and are immediately illuminated when cracked, giving off a distinctive colored light. They can be dropped down into caves or other dark areas to allow someone to see where the bottom lies and if there is anything in the pit. Emergency strobe lights are generally battery powered and programed to flash continuously for a substantial period of time serving as a beacon to alert rescuers to the presence of a person.