What’s Your Go-To Item in a Power Outage?

[MarigoldBreeze]

Always keep my LED headlamp handy—hands-free lighting makes all the difference when moving around or dealing with minor emergencies. What’s the one thing you reach for first when the lights go out? Any underrated gear folks swear by?

 

[PrepperLinda65]

First thing I grab is my old-fashioned oil lamp. Sure, it’s a bit nostalgic, but you can’t beat a steady glow that lasts all night if the outage drags on. I always keep extra wicks and a small jug of lamp oil tucked away, just in case. Flashlights are great but those batteries run out faster than you think, especially if the grandkids get ahold of them. One thing folks don’t talk about enough—battery-powered fan. Summers here can be brutal even if the lights are out, and a little fan makes a world of difference. I’ve also stashed a manual can opener in my “power’s out” box; nothing worse than staring at a tin of soup you can’t open.

Anyone have experience with those solar lanterns that double as phone chargers? I’m curious if they hold up

 

[TeaTimeTalisman]

Candles used to be my standby, but I switched over to solar lanterns a few years ago and haven’t looked back. Got a couple with USB ports for charging phones, and they’ve actually held up well. They do take a while to recharge if it’s an overcast day, so that’s something to keep in mind—can’t rely on them for endless power, but a little sunlight goes a long way. I usually set mine on the windowsill