It is not fun. I never used to think much about losing power , but we lost it for 28 hours in May during a bad storm. I have a lot of windows in my old house and have those electric candles in each, plus there are streetlights always there at night. Dark is REALLY dark. We have a gas stove, gas grill and hot water heater so that wasn't a problem. But taking a bath by candle light and reading by flashlight wasn't fun. The worst was I lost six very old koi..over 20 years old, because there was no water circulation. Now I dread storms and wind.

Sue, due to my cycling/camping I own a flashlight you wear like a head band. It's really good for all kinds of none camping times too. While camping, I use it to read after dark, in my tent.

Our family has several, even one form walmart, that cost less. We all wore them when we had the power outage in 2007 ice storm.

Only thing is, you can't look at each other without blinding the other person. LOL

But for chores even like fixing plumbing under the sink, they are really helpful, since they point at what you want to see, while you are hands free.

Moni

Here is a link that might be useful: head lamp flash light

dont buy Dorcy,dont stand behind thier products Im stuck wioth 2 that dont work.

I like the idea of the flashlights to wear, I might check into those for some gifts for the guys. Living in the country and power outages can be expected on occasion we are pretty well prepared, lamps, flashlights, candles, wood burning stove,matches, plenty of food and a generator. Everyone should be a bit more prepared I am sure.

Sue

My DH has one of those mini flashlights you can clip to a hat brim. He likes it for working under the sink or going in the storage unit in the garage esp since his hands are free. We also have a flashlight that has a tri-pod. Can in very handy when we lost power with Hurrican Irene a little while back.

Sue-You are smart to get a little "survival" pack together now. Battery operated latern/flashlight are so much safer then candles. What part of VA are you in? I am in Northern VA (Fairfax county-near Alexandria) we got tons of lightning on Wed and rain since then!

I have oil lamps, one standard size and two miniature. Sure come in handy.

I keep 2 flashlights in my bedroom, check them frequently to make sure batteries still work. After Hurricane Irene, just last month, when we lost power for 30 hours, I vowed to make an emergency supply set-candles, radio, food,water,etc.

We had a huge power outage last month that i'm sure you all heard about.Calif,arizona parts of mexico.

We had no problem as we were/are well prepared,we have flashlights,lanterns,several different kinds,portable radio,portable tv and my mp3 player and my kindle were fully charged,also we have a LANDLINE,something i will never get rid of.My GD's cell phone didn't work nor did a lot of my neighbors.

We always have cases of water on hand,and all the other stuff you need when there is no power.
Kathi

In an emergency like this, I can break out my old camping gear. (We don't camp anymore, but I've kept the good stuff from those days and on occasion, have used the equipment.) For lighting, I have two lsnterns, mantle type with Coleman (naptha) fuel. Of course, there are hazards associated with these lanterns. I take them outdoors to light them and rarely take indoors. I might use it in the garage.

The camp stove, also Coleman fueled, comes in handy. It has two powerful burners that can quickly cook a simple neal. Again, this thing is used outside due to fire hazard. In the past, we have camped for two weeks and these two accessories kept us more or less "civilized".

About 2 times a year, I use the lanterns in the backyard for various chores.

Recently, I bought a 3 watt LED flashlight by Craftsman. It runs on 2 D-cells. It produces good light, on par with a good conventional flashlight, and will run 10 times longer on the same cells. I've not liked previous wimpy single color LED lamps up until now; This one has changed my mind.

Moni, I like the idea of the head lamp (even though my days of under the sink repairs are long gone.)

I think it would be good for everybody to have one in their car. Yeah, that gives me an idea for a Dirty Santa gift.

I have most anything I might need, except for the battery lantern, and I don't know why, because, one year my DD said she thought she should get one. For her birthday, or Christmas that year, she ended up getting three, one of which was from me. I don't know why I've never gotten one, just hasn't occurred to me. It is now on my shopping list. I have 2 battery radios. I don't ever burn candles for any reason. Well, except for a birthday cake.

Teresa, I live in Augusta County. Speaking of NO. VA makes me homesick. After living in DC until I was 12, we moved to Vienna, then Clarendon. Went to Fairfax HS; graduated from Washington-Lee HS. Worked at the Pentagon. Haven't been back up that way for quite a while. I know it is not like it used to be.

The one think I craved while the lights were out was hot tea. The temperature had dropped considerably. Thankfully it wasn't too long before we had power again.

Sue

Power outages are fairly common around here, either a tree falls on a line or a squirrel commits suicide, ice or rain/wind storms, whatever- so we have a generator. If we think the power might come back on within 12 or 18 hours, though, we don't bother with it, we just wait it out. I have an oil lamp that we use to read or play cards by, and we have about 20 different kinds of flashlights and book lights. And battery radios. Our biggest problem is pumping water, so we're real careful about that. We have some water stored up so we can flush toilets and make sure the dogs have water.

After 18 hours, we fire up the generator, heat some water, cook some food, chill the freezer, take a shower, etc then shut it down for 5 or 6 hours til it's time to do the whole thing over again. I think the longest we've gone is 5 days without power, during a bad ice storm.

I have a camp stove and 2 lanterns but I only remember using the camp stove once in the last 20 or so years because of a power outage. Living in CA and now in Iowa I have been very lucky that power outages only last an hour or less. It is comforting to know that if the power does go out I can heat water for coffee or tea. I now have a gas kitchen stove also. I have 2 oil lanterns that rarely get used.

oil lamps are a life saver here

It's the end of the gardening season in many areas and the solar lights are very reasonable in price. I pick up two or more if the price is right, and pull the tab to make sure they work. I leave them where the sun or even a bright light can get at it. There are three stuck in a large flower pot in the corner by the patio doors. Really nice to get up in the night and not have to turn on any lights. Even better when you wake up and there is no power. They are much safer than candles and the kids can just grab one to go through the house if need be.