Bright Ideas for Storms and Blackouts

[ensho]

http://counterpunch.com/matson06232008.html


As storms, heat waves, and fires continue to hit most of the country, blackouts are happening with increasing frequency. Why? We’ve got more people and vulnerable power lines. Be prepared.

-snip - is a list of 10 ways to have light when the electricity goes off-
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and solar lamps are aiding people who live in areas without electricity.

[Warpy]

1. Candles, kerosene lamps and mantle lamps

plus a woodstove. They can't count. I have a woodstove with a view door, and it provides precious little light when the stove is operating correctly. A glass door on an inefficient fireplace might provide more light but less heat.

Other ways are the new flashlights that work on the ubiquitous AA batteries that will also power your Discman or radio so you have a clue how long the blackout will last, plus the fluorescent tap lights that won't allow you to read but will prevent you from barking your shins on the furniture for the duration. The AA batteries will last an astonishingly long time as efficiency has improved greatly since the 1950s.

Or you could just side with Mother Nature and go to sleep, already.

[madokie]

2. The next blackout we have here I will simply go out and retrieve a couple of the solar lights

that line our walk way. I brought one in the other night and I must say they put out as much or more light than a kerosene lamp does.

[shraby]

4. How long does the light last when you

bring them in? It's a good idea cause you can recharge them the next day in case the power is out more than one day.

[madokie]

5. These ones that we have will light up all night

When I go out to get the morning paper they are still as bright as they were that past evening. These we have cost 14 bucks for 4 of them at china mart. the ones we had previously were a yellow light and not very bright whereas these we have now are a white light and pretty durn bright as they will let you see the walkway or anything that might be on it.

[RebelOne]

3. I have 2 mini power generators.

You keep them plugged in and charged until you need them. Each one will power small appliances, small TVs and lamps for up to 3 hours. So I really have 6 hours of power. Can't tell you how many times I've used them. Once the power went out in July and it was a blessing to be able to plug in a small fan.