Sunday, May 3, 2009

Items for Light and Heat in a Disaster Supply Kit

Provident Principles and Practices
© David Edwards, 2009

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PRINCIPLES: “Fuel and light: Flashlight. Matches.” – A few items listed in Emergency Storage, Essentials of Home Production & Storage, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1978, p. 11.

“Flashlights and extra batteries. Matches in a waterproof container.” – A few items listed in American Red Cross site at www2.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_3_,00.html

“Use the flashlight to find your way if the power is out. Do not use candles or any other open flame for emergency lighting.” – ARC, www2.redcross.org/static/file_cont119_lang0_62.doc

PRACTICES: After you get out of debt and store food, you might consider other preparations.

Light. After an emergency, electricity may fail. It may be dark inside or outside. Reliable sources of light stored in your disaster supply kit can make a difference. A small flashlight is essential. Store plenty of alkaline or lithium batteries for it, outside your flashlight. They store better and last longer in service than “heavy duty” batteries do. You can wrap batteries in plastic wrap to prevent corrosion or shorting. Windup LED flashlights, which in theory can work indefinitely, can also be stored. However, some types fail after having been in use for a while. Test some first through a series of lengthy charge and discharge cycles. If you find one that works, you can store it as a backup source of light. Lightsticks, which come in different sizes and colors, may also be useful. Some last for up to 12 hours. They do not produce a spark or flame, so they are much safer for use in an emergency in which explosive or flammable gases, such as natural gas or methane, may be present in the air. This may be the case, for example, after an earthquake. Micro LED lights take up little space. Micro LED headlamps allow for hands-free use, important in many emergencies in which the lights are out and working with one’s hands is necessary. Candles are not currently recommended for storage in a disaster supply kit.

Ignition. Several types of fire starters can be stored in your disaster supply kit. Fires can help you stay warm, and fires may allow you boil water, cook food, dry out your clothes or signal others. Boiling water is generally an excellent way to disinfect water of uncertain biological content. Wind-proof, water-proof camping matches can help start fires. A butane lighter or two, kept in a leakproof container, may also be helpful. A one-handed rotating flint fire starter, plus tinder, can assist you in starting fires in the field. A magnesium/flint/striker fire starter kit tends to be a dependable means of starting fires even when it is raining, or when wood is damp, since magnesium burns with an intensely hot flame. A magnifying glass can be used to focus sunlight on a tiny point on tinder and start a fire. Be careful not to start fires if flammable or explosive gases or vapors may be present.

Heat. Heat can be provided by a number of means other than an open fire. One option is a small butane camping stove. If you store one, store butane fuel for it as well. Hand-warmer packets can help warm hands when needed for extra manual dexterity on cold days. They can warm feet, too.
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Graphics Credits:
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Other graphics by D. or S. Edwards.