In a grid down scenario, even if you’ve taken the measures necessary to ensure that you have power, it would be a good idea to have candles and alternative light sources that you can turn to. It can be said with good foresight that when the SHTF, people will fear the dark again. The helplessness and vulnerability of having to endure total darkness every night during this time of survival is something I don’t wish on anyone. Many will have no access to light when the sun goes down.
If you are using a solar generator or a generator in general, you want to conserve that energy for the most important times of the day. At night you probably won’t be using many appliances, and for most of the year it is cooler at night and you won’t need any climate control. You might not have the luxury of having a solar generator or other alternative power sources though. Most won’t, even among the prepared. Either way, you need to have this light at night situation in check because not having access to any light and being in the pitch dark makes you vulnerable. It’s also rather unpleasant and adds greatly to your levels of stress.
Candles will also be a more stealth measure to light your home at night as opposed to having lights on. While you should have covers over your windows, you might not, and having lights on or the blue glow of the television will advertise to all of the neighbors that you have power. This will make you susceptible to random visits and favors being asked. You might enjoy helping people, but this will be a totally different environment and having as little contact with others is the best measure.
If you are health conscious, you probably don’t want the cheap heavily scented candles from big box discount stores. You’d be much better off with something natural like beeswax. Heavily scented candles typically give me a headache, and I am trying to avoid headaches as much as possible while I’m bugging out at home.
A flashlight will also come in handy, but constantly holding it in your hand can be a bit of a bother. I prefer to keep a flashlight by my bedside so I can go from pitch dark to visibility within one second. If you hear a noise that startles you, bumbling to find your matches or a lighter to light a candle isn’t very prudent.
You can live exclusively by candlelight at night, and you could also have the option of possibly using a camping lantern or kerosene lamp, which is what everyone used before the invention of electricity. They work pretty well, and you can light up a whole room with one lamp and with it being portable you could move it with you from room to room. I don’t currently have a kerosene lamp, but I am planning on getting one and I do see the value in it. I think candles a flashlight and a kerosene lamp would suffice for all the alternative light sources you need.
