It is always a good idea to have a contingency plan in every aspect of our life. Being prepared can make a huge difference when a disaster strikes, and that includes in our own homes. Emergency preparedness doesn’t just mean being ready for a natural disaster, it could also be about being ready for general domestic disturbances like a water shortage or power outage.
When it comes to preparedness at home in case of an emergency, candles are usually the number one item on many peoples list of an emergency essentials. They are versatile items to have in the house and not just for emergency purposes.
The earliest use of candle on record was 200 BC in the ancient Han Dynasty in China, and since then, candles have slowly evolved into a huge number of different designs, sizes, colors, and materials used.
Before going out and stocking up on some vital emergency candles, there is something you need to be aware of. Most emergency candles are only suitable for use outdoors as they have certain chemicals and substances mixed in with the wax that allow them to burn for a long time and endure the harshest of weather. Unfortunately, these additives do make the fumes of the burning candle quite toxic so caution should always be practised when using them.
It is important to have survival candles in your house, car, or even your handbag. A study by EIA indicated that on average, you are likely to experience more than two power outages each year, lasting for almost 200 minutes. And that is just an average. In reality, a power outage could last for weeks.
Should Survival Candles be your Primary Emergency Lighting Solution?
Having emergency lighting options such as long-burning candles is important in case of power interruptions goes without saying, but are survival candles the best emergency lighting option?
The short answer has to be a resounding no, there are much better, safer, and brighter options. However, it would be foolish to totally dismiss them as they will be worth their weight in gold in the long term when everything else has been used up or has stopped working.
The number one problem with using candles as an emergency lighting solution is that they are a fire risk. The fact that you will already be in a state of emergency does not need to be made even worse by a fire caused inadvertently by a badly positioned candle. Plus, as with other light and heat sources that produce a naked flame, there are other emergencies where it is not advisable to use emergency candles, after an earthquake for example, where the likelihood of ruptured gas pipes is extremely high.
The best emergency lighting options above long burning emergency candles that are often recommended by safety agencies are:
- Headlamps
- Flashlights
- Hand crank LED lanterns
- Oil or kerosene lanterns
- Propane lamps
- Glow sticks
From the above list, the best and therefore the most suitable emergency light source is the hand crank lantern – it doesn’t need an external power source, doesn’t generate heat or a naked flame, it’s bright, safe, and it can produce light indefinitely, just as long as you are able to crank its handle!
Nevertheless, candles do have some benefits that are hard to ignore.
First, they are pocket-friendly, and they can also be used for heat production during cold spells. Other benefits of using emergency candles are:
- They are reusable
- Can be made at home
- Don’t require power to produce light e.g. batteries or electricity
- They are readily available
On the other hand, the disadvantages of using candles are:
- Fire hazard especially if tipped over or positioned poorly
- May need several to produce sufficient lighting
- The flickering can be a nuisance
You may have heard discussions about which is the best emergency lighting solution for emergency situations.
Some will argue that LED light is a much better light, while others may opt for propane lamps. However, in reality, if you are talking about planning for emergencies, shouldn’t you have a plan B, C, and D rather than just a plan A?
Having more than one type of lighting option isn’t overkill, it’s common sense!
So in order to be as best prepared as possible, you need to have several options in case you have an emergency in an emergency!
In other words, although we don’t rate long-burning survival candles as highly as the other light sources we outlined above we would always advise our readers to stock up on them as they are an extra cheap and reliable option and can even be used as barter in desperate situations.
Things to Consider when Buying Emergency Candles
There are a few things you need to look for in an emergency candle.
The structure of the candle
Candles are made in different forms from a variety of materials that serve different purposes. The everyday standard candles which include those decorative kinds are made of a mixture of paraffin wax.
These types of candles do not burn for long,thus not the best choice for emergency or survival situations. Besides, candles made from a paraffin wax blend will often produce soot or toxins that can affect your group in an emergency. In fact, this goes for most candles made using parafin based waxes!
Composition of the wick
The wick determines how your candle will burn. Emergency candles come with four different types of the wick, namely square, flat, cored, and specialty. The flat wicks are the most common in emergency candles. They are usually three cotton fiber knitted together so that they trim after it manes into the flame.
The cored wicks usually include paper or zinc-cored. The former burns bright but within a short time, while the latter offers a long-lasting burn.
Square wicks, on the other hand, are the best options for a long-lasting burn.
Also, the material of the wick should be considered when buying an emergency candle. Most disaster candles have wicks made from cotton. Cotton is great material for burning bright and hot.
Burning time
Burning time is arguably the most important aspect of an emergency candle. The best disaster candle should be able to burn for at least 5 to 6 hours.
What are the Best Survival Candles?
UCO Beeswax Lantern Candles
Many consumers have raved about this candle, especially because of its reusability feature. They also produce a clean burn because of the beeswax material they are manufactured from. Additionally, the UCO candles are also designed to fit into a UCI lantern for maximum protection.
Pros
- Clean burn
- Long-lasting burn
- Minimal dripping
Cons
- More expensive than other emergency candles
- Fits only into UCO lanterns
American Soy Tealights
You can also use tealights in an emergency, in which case, you should go for the American Soy Tealights.
As the name hint, these emergency lightings are made from soy, so you can be confident of clean burn without soot.
Pros
- No uncomfortable odors
- Long-lasting burn
- Cheap
Cons
- Produces dim light
Hosley 12 Hour Votive Candles
As the name suggests, this candle provides light for 12 hours. But the bad thing about them is that they are made from paraffin, which also makes them a cheaper option.
Another good thing about Hosley 12-Hour Votive Candles is that you can use its glass jar for your own homemade candle.
Beside the paraffin, these are perfect survival candles to have around in your house.
Pros
- Affordable
- Burns for a long time
- Reusable jars
Cons
- Produces odor
- Creates soot
Summing Up
Survival candles, emergency candles, long lasting candles, whatever you want to call them are certainly not the best lighting option available to anyone planning for an emergency. When the lights are out you’ll be grateful of any lightsource that is available so our advise is to get some long lasting survival candles stashed away for the time your other lighting options let you down.
Survival Candles – Pin
