Going to make a black-out box
By Suzanne
@Morethanamom (1948)
Canada
January 18, 2017 12:25pm CST
Since we have experienced a few extended periods of no power, and were not prepared for it at all, I want to get some supplies together. I'll pick up a medium sized plastic tote and fill it with certain essentials.
Decent flash lights with batteries will be first on the list. Aside from a couple little keychain flashlights, our only flashlight has seen better days. I'll pick up 2-3 of those.
I also hope to find a lantern type that is battery operated as well. That may be harder to obtain until closer to summer.
I also will include a lighter, and a few jar candles. Yes, I know candles can be dangerous unless you are careful. I do find that candles, while providing light, can add a minuscule amount of heat.
At the moment, I have food items that we can cook on out gas stove, but I should add a few items to the black-out box just in case we are not so lucky next time. A few cans of soup or stew, and maybe a bag of pasta with a can of sauce.
If we had the funds available, I would love to get a generator to provide a bit of back up power, but so far we have been lucky and such an item has not been needed.
3 responses
@akalinus (40440)
• United States
18 Jan 17
It is always a good idea to have emergency supplies on hand. You never know what will happen next. There are disasters both natural and manmade. There is also the possibility of terror attacks. Here in Florida, we are told that if a major hurricane hits, we are responsible for feeding and caring for ourselves for days or weeks until the government responds.
2 people like this
@Morethanamom (1948)
• Canada
18 Jan 17
You make a very good point. Thankfully, where I live natural disasters are not common, and the terrorist threat minor(I live in a small town, but a major shipping canal runs right through it). Regardless, we should have some supplies on hand. During the major blackout in 2003, my parents did not have power, but my place of employment did. We somehow managed for more than 24 hours before it came back.
2 people like this
@Jackalyn (7559)
• Oxford, England
18 Jan 17
It is a good idea to have a box like this. I was recently given an LED light that you stick to the wall and it acts like an ordinary light switch. It even looks like one. I have this at the ready in caee the electricity fails.
When I was in Zimbabwe a few years ago there were lots of power cuts so people still kept their outdoor fire for cooking. It was impressive how calmly my hosts just moved the pots.
The one thing I wish someone would invent is a way of boiling a kettle here with no electricity.
@Morethanamom (1948)
• Canada
18 Jan 17
Thankfully I have a gas stove, so I can boil water just like normal. The oven doesn't work with no power though.
1 person likes this
@Jackalyn (7559)
• Oxford, England
18 Jan 17
@Morethanamom I only have electricity so it is a problem for me.
@Morethanamom (1948)
• Canada
18 Jan 17
@Jackalyn that does present a problem. A camping stove could be an option, but definitely only for use outside.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21737)
• Canada
18 Jan 17
We have a flashlight that seems to eat batteries....I have one in the van that you shake to charge it . That is always handy. I also have a good stock of candles and matches. When we had the gas stove I never worried as much about power failures. I could still prepare meals.
