One of the more frustrating parts of a power outage is when night comes and access to proper lighting is limited. Besides emergency flashlights and lanterns, you can also find other alternative ways to illuminate your home. Each method provides extra light and is doable with very minimal tools and hardware.
Check out four different light options, and have some prepared for the next time you experience a power outage at night.
1. Flashlights and Water Jugs
A flashlight creates a very limited beam of light that typically is not wide enough to fill a room. With a little planning, you can transform a flashlight and create a lot of ambient space. If your home uses large water cooler jugs, then duct tape the end of a flashlight to the opening hole of a jug. When you turn the flashlight on, the whole jug will light up and create a giant lantern.
The light will spread around in a full circle so the illumination increases beyond just the typical beam. If you do not have a water cooler jug, then an empty clear gallon of water or milk can do the same effect. Use a headlamp instead of a flashlight if you have no duct tape. Place multiple light and jug setups in a room to dramatically increase the illumination.
2. Reflective Mirrors
Another way to increase the available light in a space is with reflective mirrors. Keep large mirrors stored in a closet, basement, or attic. When a power outage occurs, pull out the mirrors and place them in various rooms of the home. When you use flashlights or lanterns, the mirrors will reflect the light and fill in a lot of the shadows.
Look for large mirrors to lean against walls or smaller mirrors to place on tables or tabletops. You do not want to worry about mounting a table in the complete darkness.
3. Crayon Candles
Provide extra light and a fun craft with a crayon candle. The wax and paper coating on crayons provides an ideal makeshift candle to use in the home. When you set up a crayon candle, you want a stable base like a metal or glass dish that the wax can easily melt onto. Metal or glass coasters will work as well.
Use a lighter to melt some of the wax on the bottom of a crayon. Press the crayon down gently on the dish so the wax offers a stable base and the crayon stands up straight. Melt the top of the crayon until the flame reaches the paper and the candle eventually lights on fire. Both the crayon and the wax will burn for an extended period of time.
When you light a crayon candle, you must stay near the candle and monitor the flames. You do not want a crayon to fall over and create a fire hazard. For extra safety, consider placing the crayon inside an empty jar. The jar will make the light bigger, and a fallen crayon inside a jar does not create a major fire hazard.
4. Garden Solar Lights
Turn outdoor lights into indoor lights with garden solar lights. During the day, the lights charge up and provide bright illumination at night. The lights are often on spikes. Use jars or pieces of Styrofoam to stick the lights into and supply a stable base.
Along with general lights, garden lights are ideal for lining hallways and staircases with extra illumination. The lights illuminate walkways outside and can do the same with your indoor walking spaces. If a power outage lasts for multiple days, then bring the solar lights outside each day to fully charge for the next night.
Find all of the hardware and supplies necessary for these projects with us at
Koontz Hardware. We can help you find what you're looking for and also have plenty of batteries to power supplies like flashlights.
