Emergency Preparedness - Candles

by Walter Jacque MBA
(Washington State)

When the lights go out you really need candles, but the problem with them is that they can easily tip over, even in a good candle holder.

A month ago I was reading James Rawles' "Surviving the End of the World as We Know It." He suggested tall votive candles. They're sold at discount stores. My store did not have these, just the short ones. What to do?

I bought a candle-making kit and a huge slab of paraffin at a craft store. Next, I took all of those miscellaneous glass jars that I had been saving for no particular reason. I followed the instructions on pouring the wax into a mold. Instead of a mold, it was a glass jar (make sure the jar is room temperature or it will crack).

Now I have nice, wide-bottomed candles that are hard to tip over. An added plus is to have metal lids for the jars. After you blow out the candles, screw on the lid. That way, if the candle is knocked over, you won't get hot wax all over everything.

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starstarstarstarstar 		Solar Lights are the Best!
by: Anonymous

Our family has many solar lights to use at all times. Of course we use them outdoors for safety, cookouts, camping [indoor and outdoor for safety at night, when we have no electricity, bring as many as needed inside. Even kept one in grandsons bedroom when he was afraid of the dark.

Always be on the lookout for them and purchase them on sale. They are inexpensive and VERY useful. I also have a few tin cans of different sizes to hold candles. Safe and easy to move around, be sure the candle extends above the can.
Rating
starstarstarstar 		EP - Candles
by: Beardy P

Over here (UK) they sell highly highly perfumed versions of this as expensive "Yankee Candles!!

- Don't blow it out, just put the lid on, it creates less smoke, trim the wick sometimes to reduce the smoke as it all adds up to dirt around the house.

- remove the top and bottom of another slightly smaller tall-ish bottle to use as a freestanding chimney if moving it around

- a corrugated cardboard sleeve allows you to hold a hot candle bottle - just like a starbucks coffee cup!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Option 2
by: Felicia

Purchase the solar yard lights. You can get these for about a $1 at different stores. Place in the sun and let charge then if you need a light just bring them indoors, They work great for emergencies and there are no batteries to buy.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		9 day candles
by: June

I found on the Jewish memorial candles they have different ones ranging up to 9 days. I haven't tried them yet but I will be putting an order in soon :)

Let me know what you think or if anyone has tried them
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		lights out
by: Anonymous

oil lamps-- we have 8 and extra fuel..
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starstarstarstarstar 		Alternative to Candles
by:

One idea to use for light at night is those solar pathway lights from the garden. They can be purchased for a few dollars each, have a stem (handle) to carry them around the house and there is no open flame to worry about igniting hair or having a problem with gas in the home. Stick them in the dirt outside, or a bucket on the walkway to recharge in the daytime.

There are also solar flashlights and even solar headband (think miners) lights for walking out to the 'loo' at night.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Candles and Candle Holders
by: Anonymous

That's something that I forgot in my article.

I filled the jar almost to the top with wax, leaving the screw on part free. The jar will get hot as the candle burns. If you want to carry the candle, you MIGHT want to wear a pair of ordinary gloves so you don't burn your hands.

I did not color or scent mine, but I think you might want to as a gift or salable craft item.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Candles and Candle Holders
Emergency Supply Essentials
by: Jennifer

Great Idea! Candles are an essential in your emergency preparedness supplies.

When I lived in Haiti for four months without much electricity, I realized how valuable candles are. It's dark there from about 6:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m. Without candles, you're left in the dark most of the evening.

Another thing that would be valuable is a candle holder. It needs to go up past the flame so that the wind doesn't put out the flame.

Whenever we had to walk someplace with a candle in our hand, we would put our hand in front of the flame to keep the flame from going out.

If you don't fill the jars all the way to the top with wax, the top of the jar could protect the flame from going out.

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